India’s Zee sues reliance-disney over alleged music copyright infringement

Wednesday 06 May 2026 - 15:30

Zee Entertainment has taken legal action against the Reliance-Disney joint venture, accusing it of using copyrighted music without authorization after licensing agreements had expired, according to court documents.

The lawsuit, filed in New Delhi, marks a new escalation in tensions between two major players in India’s rapidly consolidating media and entertainment industry. Zee is seeking approximately $3 million in damages, alleging that its music catalog was used without permission across streaming platforms and television channels operated by the Reliance-Disney partnership.

The dispute highlights growing competition and legal friction in India’s expanding digital entertainment market, where content ownership and distribution rights have become increasingly valuable assets.

Rising tensions in india’s media landscape

The Reliance-Disney joint venture, formed following a multibillion-dollar merger in 2024, has become one of the largest entertainment entities in the country. However, its rapid expansion has also brought it into conflict with established industry players such as Zee.

Zee argues that the use of its copyrighted material continued even after licensing agreements had expired, constituting unauthorized exploitation of intellectual property. The company claims this has resulted in financial losses and reputational impact.

Both Zee and the Reliance-Disney venture have declined to comment on the ongoing case.

This legal battle is not the only dispute between the two groups. They are also engaged in separate arbitration proceedings in London related to a cricket broadcasting rights deal, further reflecting broader disagreements over media assets and licensing agreements in India’s highly competitive entertainment sector.

As India’s streaming and broadcast industries continue to grow and consolidate, legal disputes over content rights are expected to become increasingly common.