Ilaiyaraaja Fights For Digital Music Rights

A copyright dispute concerning music composer Ilaiyaraaja's songs was heard in Chennai today. Music Master, a Chennai-based company, originally filed a lawsuit in 2010, claiming ownership of audio rights for over 100 films and alleging unauthorized use on digital platforms. Ilaiyaraaja himself testified earlier, clarifying that the 1997 contracts he signed only covered audio release rights and did not include provisions for digital distribution, which was not prevalent at the time. He stated that he only licensed the songs to production houses for specific films. Veteran director R.K. Selvamani appeared in court to support Ilaiyaraaja, affirming that the composer possesses exclusive rights to his music. The court has adjourned the hearing to January 20, a decision that could significantly impact music copyright laws in the digital era.