New Delhi, July 14, 2025 – The Supreme Court of India has delayed a hearing involving renowned music composer Ilaiyaraaja to July 18. The case centers on a request to transfer a copyright dispute over more than 500 of his musical works from the Bombay High Court to the Madras High Court.
Ilaiyaraaja, a legendary figure in Indian music, is seeking to move the legal battle, which began in 2022 when Sony Music Entertainment India filed a lawsuit in the Bombay High Court. Sony claims it owns the rights to 536 of Ilaiyaraaja’s compositions, acquired through agreements with Oriental Records and Echo Recording. The company is seeking to prevent Ilaiyaraaja Music N Management Pvt Ltd (IMMPL) from using these works.
However, IMMPL argues that 310 of these compositions are already part of a separate legal case in the Madras High Court, which started in 2014. That case resulted in a 2019 ruling affirming Ilaiyaraaja’s moral and economic rights over his creations. IMMPL contends that the Bombay case overlaps with the ongoing Madras proceedings, making the transfer necessary to avoid conflicting rulings.
The Supreme Court, led by Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, heard the plea on Monday but decided to postpone further discussion to July 18. The case has drawn attention due to Ilaiyaraaja’s iconic status and the complex legal questions surrounding music copyright in India.
This dispute highlights ongoing tensions between artists and music companies over ownership and control of creative works, a topic of global interest in the entertainment industry. The outcome could set a significant precedent for how copyright issues are handled in India’s music and film sectors.
