Six producers have filed a civil suit against Ilaiyaraaja for claiming copyright ownership over songs he has scored in films. They have moved the court for a permanent injunction asking to make them absolute owners of the film’s copyrights. They have asked for a 50 per cent share in the royalty amount which Ilaiyaraaja had demanded from anyone who used his songs for commercial purposes.
The producers, including PT Selvakumar and R Chandrasekhar, say that in over 80 years in cinema, nothing about a film has been independently claimed by artistes. The ownership over the film – its music, actors’ performances, technical work, all of it has always been with the producers. So Ilaiyaraaja cannot claim copyright ownership for songs he scored because those films were made by the producers.
PT Selvakumar said to the media, “Over 100 producers are supporting this legal battle. Producers and their rights need to be protected. Producers are the one who they (composers) take salaries from. But they have been reduced to beggars. When these songs are sung in concerts or played on the radio, we should get royalty. 50 per cent should be given to producers, who have allowed you (Ilaiyaraaja) to grow to this level.”
“If he gives us a percentage of royalty, we’ll let go of this. Otherwise we will protest.” He then said if Ilaiyaraaja’s claims continue, then the film’s hero, comedian, technicians, art director will start claiming copyright ownership to the scenes they have worked on. This will leave the producers “high and dry”.
Ilaiyaraaja had earlier asked everyone performing his songs at events to pay him a royalty. He said as per rights granted by South Indian Musicians Association, he was allowed to take legal action in this matter. President of South Indian Cine Musicians Union, Dhina, came in support saying Ilaiyaraaja’s claim for royalty fell well within his rights guaranteed by Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS).
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Ilaiyaraaja had sent legal notices to singers SP Balasubramanyam, Chitra, and organisers of concerts for performing his compositions without permission and without paying royalty. “I don’t wish to hinder anyone’s talent. But the royalty I’m asking is from the money you earn by singing my songs, and not for the song you sing,” he said.
The notice said he owned copyrights to the songs, and anyone singing them for commercial purposes will be charged a hefty amount as copyright infringement. He then approached the Madras High Court which lead to an injunction against five music labels.