CSK assures no unlicensed use of ‘Jailer’, ‘Coolie’ songs; Madras HC closes Sun TV plea

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court, on Monday, has disposed of applications filed by Sun TV Network Limited seeking an interim injunction to restrain IPL team Chennai Super Kings from using its copyrighted songs for the team's promotional videos after CSK agreed not to use songs without a licence.

Sun TV Network Limited filed a copyright petition stating that on March 1, when the CSK team had unveiled its new jersey, featuring its logo and the brand names of its principal sponsors, through a promotional video shared on CSK's official social media pages on Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook.

It was submitted that the video prominently used audio tracks and dialogues from Jailer, Jailer 2 and Coolie, which are produced by Sun Network and further incorporated copyrighted audio elements at multiple junctures..

Sun had also claimed damages to the tune of Rs 1 crore. Sun also called upon the team to disclose the revenue generated through the promotional activities and deposit the same before the court to the credit of the suit.

When the matter came up before Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, an undertaking affidavit was filed by KS Viswanathan, Managing Director of CSK.

In his affidavit, he stated that the team undertakes not to show or display any of the sound recordings or musical works, including the songs set out in the plaint, without obtaining a licence. After KS Viswanathan filed the undertaking affidavit, the judge closed the interim pleas.

The judge also sought Sun Network's opinion on whether the main suit of Rs 1 crore in damage could be disposed of as the affidavit has been filed