Zee Entertainment Sues JioStar for Rs 25 Crores: Copyright Infringement Alleged

In a significant legal development, Zee Entertainment Enterprises has filed a lawsuit against JioStar, the joint venture between Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Company, claiming copyright infringement. The case, filed in a New Delhi court, demands a substantial Rs 25 crores in damages and an immediate cessation of any ongoing unauthorized use of Zee's music.

The lawsuit alleges that JioStar has used Zee's music catalogue at least 50 times across its television and streaming platforms, even after licensing agreements expired in 2024 and 2025. This unauthorized use, according to Zee, constitutes a clear violation of copyright laws.

This dispute is part of a larger legal battle between the two media giants, which began after their $8.5 billion merger. JioStar, with its vast television network and the popular streaming platform JioHotstar, has a significant reach in India. Zee, a well-established media network, owns a vast music library with over 19,000 songs in multiple languages.

The court has directed JioStar to ensure no further infringement during the ongoing case and has set a deadline of 15 days for compliance. The next hearing is scheduled for July 23, where the court will further examine the matter.

JioStar has refuted the allegations and denied any wrongdoing. They argue that they have taken steps to remove infringing content, including legacy programming, and that residual archival hosting does not amount to unlawful use. However, Zee contests this claim, asserting that JioStar's actions constitute a violation of their intellectual property rights.

This case also coincides with ongoing arbitration proceedings in London, where Reliance is seeking $1 billion in damages from Zee over a separate cricket rights agreement dispute. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the management of intellectual property rights in India's rapidly evolving media and streaming landscape.