Zee Entertainment has initiated legal proceedings against two prominent entities, JioStar and Nykaa, alleging unauthorized use of its extensive music catalog. The lawsuits highlight a deepening conflict over digital content rights in India's rapidly evolving media landscape.
Zee is demanding Rs 25 crore from JioStar and Rs 2 crore from Nykaa, citing copyright infringement of its musical works. The cases center on the use of Zee's songs in promotional content and on streaming platforms without what Zee deems appropriate authorization.
Disputed Music Use
The legal challenge against JioStar, a joint venture between Reliance and Disney, claims that Zee's copyrighted music was used across various television and streaming productions after licensing agreements had lapsed. Zee asserts that its music was featured in music and dance shows distributed by JioStar. In response, JioStar has refuted the allegations, rejecting Zee's claims for damages. Discussions and legal notices have reportedly been exchanged between the parties in recent months.
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Simultaneously, Zee has accused the beauty e-commerce platform Nykaa of misusing its copyrighted music in advertisements posted on Instagram Reels. Zee argues that while its licensing agreement with Meta Platforms might permit non-commercial use of songs on Instagram, Nykaa's product promotion activities fall outside this scope. Zee has presented screenshots of twelve specific Instagram Reels as evidence in its court filing. Nykaa’s defense has not been detailed in the provided materials.
Industry Implications
These lawsuits underscore the growing complexities surrounding music copyright in the digital age, particularly concerning short-form video content which has become a crucial marketing tool for brands. India has yet to establish definitive legal precedents clarifying the interplay between platform licensing, brand promotion, and music copyright.
Industry observers suggest that these disputes reflect an intensifying struggle over content ownership and licensing as the Indian media and streaming sectors continue to consolidate. A recent Bombay High Court ruling in favor of Tips Industries against Wynk Music indicated that online music streaming platforms cannot unilaterally rely on statutory licensing provisions for music usage.
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Background
Zee Entertainment, a veteran media conglomerate, possesses a music library exceeding 19,000 songs across various languages. The company's legal actions come as part of a broader initiative to address what it describes as the "abuse of its music catalogue." The court, in the case involving JioStar, has ordered the company to cease further infringement while the matter is pending, with compliance required within fifteen days.
