The Delhi High Court has ruled that Ilaiyaraaja does not hold copyright over the song En Iniya Pon Nilave's lyrics or sound recording, affecting his appeal against a recreation of the song for a film.
Delhi High Court Dismisses Copyright Claim by Ilaiyaraaja
The Delhi High Court has upheld an order stating that music composer Ilaiyaraaja does not own the copyright for either the lyrics or the sound recording of the well-known Tamil song En Iniya Pon Nilave. The ruling came from a Bench of Justices Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla, who dismissed Ilaiyaraaja's appeal against Saregama India Limited regarding a projected recreation of the song for the upcoming Tamil film Aghathiyaa.
According to the court, under Section 2(p) of the Copyright Act, “musical work” does not automatically confer copyright ownership over lyrics or sound recordings unless established by evidence. The court emphasized that the burden lies on the copyright owner to demonstrate actual use of the patented technology or work.
This ruling carries significant implications for copyright law, particularly for creators in the music industry who may wish to assert claims over their works. Practitioners should take note of this decision as it underscores the evidentiary requirements necessary to enforce copyright claims.
Citations
- Ilaiyaraaja Vs Saregama India Limited (2026) Delhi High Court
