'Being Cheated By Music Companies': Ilaiyaraaja Tells Madras High Court In Copyright Infringement Case Against Sony Music

The submission was made before Justice N Senthilkumar, who was hearing a plea filed by the musician against Sony music against unauthorised usage of his songs. The court had previously directed the music company to provide day-to-day accounts of revenue generated through the streaming of Ilaiyaraaja's songs.

When the matter was taken up today, Senior Advocate Vijay Narayan, appearing for the music company, informed the court that the company had filed a transfer petition before the Supreme Court and notice had been issued in the same.

Senior Advocate S Prabakaran, appearing for Ilaiyaraaja, submitted that the Supreme Court had not issued any interim directions in the plea and there was no impediment to hear the present petition. However, considering judicial discipline, the judge thought it fit to wait till the Supreme Court considers the matter.

Prabakaran objected and submitted that the music company had not filed any written statement yet, and neither had it produced the details of revenue as sought by the court. Narayan submitted that the company is submitting the accounts in a sealed cover to maintain confidentiality. Prabakaran objected at this point and submitted that even the Supreme Court had criticised the practice of submitting documents in sealed cover. Considering the objection and the pendency of the matter before the Supreme Court, the judge decided not to accept the sealed cover at this stage and decided to wait for the Supreme Court's decision in the matter.

Prabakaran also argued that despite the pendency of the case, the respondent continued to use his songs unauthorisedly. He said that two of his songs were used in the recent Tamil movie “Dude” which had even grossed a revenue of 75 crore within 3 days of release.

The judge, however, pointed out that since this is not part of any affidavit before the court, it cannot consider this aspect. Prabakaran argued that it was not possible for Ilaiyaraaja to file an application against big labels for every movie.

To this, the judge said that though the respondents were big labels, Ilaiyaraaja is also a famous music composer.

“I may be a famous music composer. But I'm being cheated by these music companies. They are continuing to use my songs without any authorization. They're distorting it, adding beats to it,” Prabakaran argued.

The court however, told Prabakaran that Ilaiyaraaja was within liberty to file a separate application if his songs were being used unauthorisedly in any other movie.

Case Title: Dr Ilaiyaraaja v Sony Music Entertainment India Private Ltd and Others

Case No: OA 946 of 2025 and C.S (Comm Div) 249 of 2025