Brands
Zee sues Nykaa over alleged unauthorised use of songs
Seeks Rs 20 million damages over Instagram reels using licensed music.
MUMBAI: When reels meet rights, the soundtrack can quickly turn into a legal scorecard. Zee Entertainment has moved the Delhi High Court against Nykaa, alleging unauthorised use of its copyrighted music in Instagram reels used to promote products. In its April 3 filing, Zee has sought damages of Rs 20 million (approximately $210,000), marking a significant test case for how brands use music on social media.
At the heart of the dispute is a licensing agreement between Zee and Meta Platforms that permits individuals to use its music for non-commercial purposes on Instagram. Zee contends that Nykaa, a listed fashion-to-beauty retailer, crossed that line by deploying the same tracks in branded, commercial content aimed at millions of followers.
The lawsuit identifies 12 specific Instagram reels, supported by screenshots, where Zee claims its licensed songs were used without authorisation. According to court proceedings, Nykaa has since taken down the flagged links. During a brief hearing, its counsel informed the court that the content in question had been removed.
Zee’s legal filing, reportedly running over 900 pages, argues that the use of its music in promotional posts constitutes a clear violation of copyright, as no permissions were obtained for commercial exploitation.
Both companies declined to comment on the matter.
The case comes at a time when short-form video formats have become central to digital marketing strategies, with brands increasingly leaning on popular Hindi tracks to boost engagement. Legal experts suggest the dispute could set an important precedent.
Ira Law, partner Aditya Gupta noted that marketing teams often use music available on platform libraries without fully understanding licensing terms, adding that the outcome could bring much-needed clarity to the space.
The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on May 26, with wider industry implications riding on how the court interprets the boundary between creative expression and commercial use in the age of reels.
