
Authorship vs ownership: Why composer Ilaiyaaraja’s case underscores a key tension in Indian music
music labels under contractual arrangements. Disputes arise when legacy agreements are vague or silent on new exploitation methods, leading to debates over residual rights, especially in public performance, digital sharing, or re-recordings.The case highlights the continuing tension between authorship rights and the commercial realities of assignment-heavy industry practices.“The interim order in the Ilaiyaraaja vs.
Saregama dispute underscores the persistent friction between historical 'work-for-hire' contracts and the modern statutory protections granted to creators. This case highlights that in the music industry, 'authorhood' is not synonymous with 'ownership.' While a composer’s creative contribution is permanent, their legal control over that work depends entirely on the specific language of their assignment contracts,” said Ankita Singh, founder, Sarvaank Associates.As digital platforms extend the commercial life of musical catalogues, the industry is entering a phase of legacy litigation where the battle is no longer just about who owns the music, but who is entitled to its digital revenue stream in perpetuity, Singh added.Collective bargaining through copyright societies is a meaningful safeguard.
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