Fri Jan 16 06:40:34 UTC 2026: ### Ilaiyaraaja’s Personality Rights Case: Sun TV Seeks Modification of Injunction

The Story:
Sun TV Network Limited has petitioned the Madras High Court to modify an interim injunction secured by renowned musician R. Ilaiyaraaja in a John Doe suit. The injunction, initially granted on November 21, 2025, prevents the exploitation of Ilaiyaraaja’s name, image, photographs, and voice for commercial or personal purposes without his explicit consent. Sun TV argues that the blanket injunction, while acknowledging the merit of Ilaiyaraaja’s case, is overly broad and hinders its ability to utilize its legitimately acquired copyrights to the musician’s songs. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy has adjourned the hearing until January 21, granting time for Ilaiyaraaja’s counsel to respond to the applications for modification.

Key Points:

  • R. Ilaiyaraaja filed a John Doe suit to protect his personality rights against various entities including Amazon, Saavn Media, YouTube, Gaana, Apple Music, Five Star Audio, Sun TV Network, Music Master, Star Vijay TV, Indian Record Manufacturing Limited, Zee Entertainment, Meta Platforms, and Sony Music.
  • Sun TV Network claims it possesses broadcast and communication rights for a vast catalog of Ilaiyaraaja’s songs and routinely broadcasts them, providing clear on-air attribution to the composer.
  • Sun TV asserts the injunction could prevent legitimate compilations of Ilaiyaraaja’s songs, even with proper credit given.
  • The network states its broadcasts have expanded the reach of Ilaiyaraaja’s music to the Tamil diaspora.
  • Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy has granted time until January 21 for Ilaiyaraaja’s counsel to obtain instructions on the modification application.

Key Takeaways:

  • The case highlights the growing importance of personality rights and the legal battles surrounding their enforcement in the digital age.
  • Media companies are facing increasing scrutiny over their use of copyrighted material, particularly concerning the balance between commercial exploitation and artist rights.
  • The court’s decision will set a precedent for how broadly personality rights can be interpreted and enforced against entities holding legitimate copyrights.
  • The case reveals the complex relationship between artists, media networks, and streaming platforms in the context of copyright law and personality rights.
  • The outcome could influence how media conglomerates utilize content featuring prominent personalities, potentially impacting programing decisions and licensing agreements.

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