India's Zee escalates copyright fight against Reliance-Disney's JioStar
NEW DELHI: India’s Zee Entertainment has asked the Delhi High Court to initiate contempt proceedings against Reliance-Disney joint venture JioStar, alleging it continued to use copyrighted content despite a court injunction, a legal filing shows. The filing, dated September 21, escalates an ongoing copyright dispute between the companies. Zee alleges JioStar is guilty of “wilful disobedience”…
India’s Zee Entertainment has taken its copyright dispute to the Delhi High Court against Reliance-Disney joint venture JioStar, alleging continued use of Zee’s copyrighted content. The filing, made on September 21, claims JioStar is guilty of "wilful disobedience" for persisting in using Zee’s music and songs on its platforms despite a court injunction.
The Indian media giant maintains JioStar is "illegally and actively exploiting" Zee’s works. JioStar, formed from Reliance and Disney’s Indian media assets in 2024, declined comment. This legal action follows a court order in May barring JioStar from using, publishing, broadcasting, streaming, or uploading Zee’s licensed content.
The lawsuit originated in April when Zee demanded $3 million in damages for 50 alleged copyright violations. Zee’s latest evidence cites six instances of JioStar’s continued use of its copyrighted works between May and July. Despite removing content following licensing agreement expirations, Zee asserts JioStar is still "illegally and actively exploiting" its material.
The case is part of a broader trend of copyright disputes in India’s consolidating streaming and broadcasting market, with JioStar, backed by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, emerging as India’s largest media and entertainment company.
Written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
