Ilaiyaraaja Wins Copyright Case Again, Sets A Strong Precedent

Maestro and legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja has been adopting a zero tolerance policy towards unauthorised usage of his songs in films. He has been filing lawsuits in Courts over infringement of copyrights, demanding removal of his works with immediate effect. 

After winning a legal battle against the makers of Ajith’s Good Bad Ugly earlier this year, Ilaiyaraaja has now secured another judgement in his favour after the Madras High Court ordered for removal of his songs from the recent Diwali release Dude, which stars Pradeep Ranganathan in the lead role. 

According to the petition filed by Ilayaraja, two of his iconic songs – ‘Karutha Machan’ from the film Pudhu Nell, Pudhu Naathu and ‘Nooru Varusham Indha Maappillaum’ from the film Panakkaran were used in Dude without obtaining his consent. The judge observed that there was prima facie evidence that his songs had been modified and used without permission, affecting the sanctity of his work and harming his reputation.

The court, therefore, imposed an interim injunction restraining the use of Ilaiyaraaja’s songs in the film Dude. Though the production house Mythri Movie Makers requested the Court to give one week time for implementing the order, the Judge rejected the plea. 

While the respondents argued that Sony Music has acquired the rights to these songs from Echo and they have obtained legal permission from the music company, the lawyer appearing for Ilaiyaraaja contented that the original composer has full right over the copyrights of his own works and needs his approval before reproducing them in whatever manner. 

By winning back to back legal cases, Ilaiyaraaja has now set a strong legal precedent which bars every filmaker from using songs by simply obtaining copyrights from music labels alone instead of seeking approval from the original composers. It’s better to reach out to music directors in advance to avoid these kind of legal complications in future which might hamper the theatrical revenues.