Ilaiyaraaja has announced that legal action will be taken against those who don’t get prior permission to sing his songs at events.
The composer released a three-minute video saying that as per rights granted by South Indian Musicians Association from IPRS, he is allowed to take legal action in this matter. He said, “To all those who wish to sing my song, it is only good manners to get permission, and do things as per protocol… 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 further said, “If artistes sing my songs in free concerts, they don’t have to pay me. But when they’re earning, why shouldn’t I have a share in it? I think this will be a beneficial move for upcoming artistes too.”
Ilaiyaraaja had earlier issued a legal notice to singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, creating an uproar in the industry. The notice said that anyone singing his songs will be charged for copyright infringement, and will have to pay a hefty amount as damages. Ilaiyaraaja then approached the Madras High Court over usage of his songs for commercial purposes, leading to an injunction against five music labels.
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However, the Madras High Court recently nullified a criminal case of copyright infringement filed against Echo Recording Company, by Ilaiyaraaja in 2010. Ilaiyaraaja responded to this and said that while the Madras High Court has quashed his criminal case against the company, the case over his patent and copyright still continues.
“As per the case filed in 2014, the ban on using my songs is valid, and there is no change in that. Legal action will be taken if it has been violated… only the case filed in 2010 against Echo Recording Company stands nullified.”
The note further read: “I request the media not to speculate about the copyrights case and report fake news, failing which the said media houses will be booked for contempt of court and penalised.”