Music copyright violation case: ZEEL files lawsuit against Reliance-Disney JV

According to a Reuters report, The suit seeks $3 million in damages over the ‘alleged unauthorised use and commercial exploitation of content’

by e4m Staff
Published: May 7, 2026 11:33 AM | 1 min read

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. has filed a lawsuit against the Reliance-Disney joint venture, alleging unauthorized use of its copyrighted music after licensing agreements expired.
The lawsuit seeks $3 million in damages for the alleged exploitation of Zee's music content on JioStar's streaming platform and television channels.
This legal dispute is part of ongoing tensions between Zee and JioStar, which emerged from their $8.5 billion merger in 2024, highlighting competition over content rights in India's media market.
Both companies declined to comment on the lawsuit, which coincides with ongoing arbitration proceedings in London where Reliance is seeking $1 billion in damages from Zee over a cricket licensing agreement.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. has filed a lawsuit against the Reliance-Disney joint venture, alleging that the company continued to use Zee’s copyrighted music even after licensing agreements had expired, Reuters has reported citing court documents.

The suit seeks $3 million in damages over the alleged unauthorised use and commercial exploitation of content from Zee’s music division across the joint venture’s streaming platform and certain television channels.

First reported by Reuters, the case marks the latest legal dispute between Zee and JioStar — the Reliance-Disney venture created following the companies’ $8.5 billion merger in 2024. The development also reflects intensifying competition and growing tensions around content rights in India’s rapidly consolidating streaming and broadcast market.

Both Zee and JioStar declined to comment on the matter, the report said.

The latest lawsuit comes even as Zee and Reliance remain embroiled in arbitration proceedings in London. In the ongoing case, Reliance is seeking $1 billion in damages from Zee over its withdrawal from a cricket licensing agreement in 2024. Zee has denied any wrongdoing and is contesting the claim.