Ilaiyaraaja image-use ban: Popular television challenges the appeal, Broadcaster seeks relief from restraint order – Reports | Tamil Movie News
The decade-long tug-of-war over the unauthorized usage of music maestro Ilaiyaraaja‘s name, image, and persona has just gotten a new twist. The issue comes from a plea Ilaiyaraaja submitted to the Madras High Court of Justice in order to seek protection from alleged exploitation of his picture, name, voice, and honorific title ‘Isaignani’ on social media. The maestro said that his persona was being exploited without his permission on social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, mostly through reels, memes, and videos, some containing offensive implications. He further sought directions for the removal of such content and disclosure of revenues earned through the unauthorised usage.
Sun Television moves High Court challenging the restraining order
Challenging the interim restrictions imposed by the court, Sun Television Network Limited has now filed an appeal before the Madras High Court, seeking modification of the order that bars the use of Ilaiyaraaja’s name and photograph. According to a report by The Hindu, the broadcaster contends that the blanket restraint has severely impacted its ability to telecast films and related content featuring the composer. Sun TV has argued that merely using Ilaiyaraaja’s name or image in the context of broadcasting songs or films does not infringe upon his personal or proprietary rights, and that such usage is intrinsic to film exhibition and promotion.
Background of the case and court’s earlier observations
The original plaintiff, Ilaiyaraaja, must be respondent parties that included certain YouTube channels, music companies, and social media platforms. During the previous hearing, Justice Senthil Kumar had inquired into the nature of prejudice allegedly suffered by the composer through the use of his name and likeness. To this, the plaintiff’s counsel argued that third parties were profiting from the composer’s name and image for commercial purposes, which was an infringement of his right to publicity and right to privacy. Accepting these arguments at a prima facie level, the court had, on November 21 last year, passed an interim order restraining unauthorised use of his photograph on social media platforms.
Broadcaster seeks relief, hearing awaited
In its appeal, Sun Television has urged the court to clarify that the restraint should not extend to the lawful broadcast of Ilaiyaraaja’s songs, films or related material. The network has argued that it is unclear how the use of a composer’s image or name, in connection with content he has created, could amount to a rights violation. Seeking a modification of the earlier order, the broadcaster has contended that the order is too broad in its scope and interferes with its normal broadcasting procedures. The matter is likely to be heard in the near future and may have far-reaching consequences within the broadcasting and digital industry.Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on reported news of court proceedings and legal claims. It does not constitute legal advice or a definitive statement on the outcome of the case. Readers should not rely solely on this information for making legal or commercial decisions.
