Ilaiyaraaja Faces Setback in 134 Film Songs Copyright Case
Because of this order, the songs from these 134 films cannot be freely used on different platforms unless the proper rights are taken from the copyright owners.
By: Priya Chowdhary Nuthalapti | 3 July 2026 9:11 AM IST
A recent court order has started a big discussion in the Indian film industry. Music lovers, filmmakers, and producers are now talking about the ownership of songs composed by legendary music director Ilaiyaraaja.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that the audio rights for songs from 134 films composed by Ilaiyaraaja belong to the music company that bought those rights, such as Saregama, or to the producers who legally owned them. The court said that these rights do not automatically belong to the composer. This decision has created a lot of interest among people in both the Tamil and Telugu film industries.
Because of this order, the songs from these 134 films cannot be freely used on different platforms unless the proper rights are taken from the copyright owners. Anyone who wants to use these songs in a movie, television show, or digital content must first get permission from the company or person holding the rights and pay the required royalty.
Many people are now wondering whether Ilaiyaraaja will take legal action if his songs are used in future films. However, the present court order is related only to these 134 movies. It does not affect the hundreds of other films for which he has composed music during his long career.
Copyright law is often complicated, and ownership of songs depends on the agreements signed when the films were made. This is why different parties, including producers, music companies, and composers, may have different claims over music rights. Legal experts believe that every case depends on the contracts and copyright rules.
Ilaiyaraaja has always spoken about protecting the rights of music composers. He believes that creators should receive proper recognition and benefits from their work. At the same time, music companies and producers also earn revenue from songs through streaming platforms, television, and other licensed uses.
It is not yet known whether Ilaiyaraaja will challenge the court's decision in a higher court. Even today, he remains one of India's most respected music composers. He continues to compose music for new films and perform live concerts in India and abroad. Until any further legal decision is made, the rights over the songs from these 134 films will remain with their current copyright holders, as decided by the court.