Who Owns the Rights to ‘Iniya Pon Nilave’? Definitely Not Ilaiyaraja, says Delhi High Court

In a significant ruling in the realm of intellectual property rights, the Delhi High Court has upheld Saregama India Limited’s copyright over the song Iniya Pon Nilave, dismissing Vels Film International Limited’s claim based on an agreement with legendary composer Ilaiyaraja. The judgment reinforces the well-established legal principle that the producer of a cinematographic film, not the music composer, is the first owner of the soundtrack’s copyright.

The Copyright Dispute: Saregama vs. Vels Film International

The dispute arose when Vels Film International Limited sought to use the song Iniya Pon Nilave in their upcoming film Aghathiyaa based on an agreement with Ilaiyaraja. However, Saregama India Limited, the music label that owns the rights to the original soundtrack, challenged this claim, arguing that Vels Film required a license from them, not from Ilaiyaraja.

The case, titled Saregama India Limited vs. Vels Film International Limited & Ors. (CS(COMM) 38/2025 & I.A. 1021/2025, I.A. 2163/2025), hinged on the interpretation of Section 17 of the Copyright Act, 1957. The Court emphasized that unless a contrary agreement exists, the producer of a film is the first owner of all rights in its soundtracks, including the music and lyrics. Therefore, Ilaiyaraja, despite being the composer, had no authority to assign or grant rights over the song.

The Court’s Verdict: Producer’s Rights Prevail

The Delhi High Court unequivocally ruled in favor of Saregama, confirming their ownership of Iniya Pon Nilave. However, in a practical resolution, the Court allowed Vels Film International to use the song in Aghathiyaa, provided they paid a license fee of ₹30 lakh to Saregama. This outcome underscores the legal requirement for filmmakers and production houses to secure rights from the rightful copyright holder rather than relying solely on agreements with composers.

Key Takeaways for the Film and Music Industry

1. Producers Hold the First Copyright: As reaffirmed by the Court, film producers are the first owners of the music and lyrics associated with their films unless otherwise stated in a contractual agreement.
2. Composers Cannot Independently Assign Rights: Even renowned composers like Ilaiyaraja cannot transfer or assign rights to a song unless they hold copyright ownership.
3. Legal Due Diligence is Essential: Before using old songs in new films, production houses must ensure they acquire licenses from the actual copyright owners to avoid legal disputes.
4. Licensing is the Path Forward: The Court’s decision to grant Vels Film International a license upon payment of ₹30 lakh highlights the commercial reality of balancing legal ownership with industry needs.

Conclusion

This judgment sets a critical precedent in India’s music and film industry by reaffirming the copyright ownership structure. While composers are integral to the creation of music, their rights are subject to existing copyright laws that prioritize the producer’s ownership unless contractually overridden. The ruling serves as a reminder for filmmakers and production houses to adhere to copyright laws and ensure proper licensing to avoid costly legal battles.