In a significant verdict reinforcing artists’ intellectual property rights, the Madras High Court has upheld music maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s objection to the unauthorized use of his compositions. The court dismissed a petition filed by the producers of the Ajith-starrer Good Bad Ugly, who had sought to lift the ban preventing them from using one of Ilaiyaraaja’s songs in the film.
The High Court ruled that Ilaiyaraaja, as the creator and copyright holder, retains the legal right to refuse the use of his songs without explicit permission. The court reiterated that film producers or third parties cannot appropriate musical works without obtaining proper authorization from the composer.
The decision is being seen as an important affirmation of intellectual property protection within the Indian film and music industries, where disputes over rights and usage have become increasingly common.