Nykaa seeks Meta’s inclusion in copyright dispute with Zee

Wednesday 20 May 2026 - 13:15

Indian beauty and fashion retailer Nykaa has requested a court in New Delhi to include Meta in an ongoing copyright dispute involving media company Zee Entertainment Enterprises.

The legal conflict centers on the alleged use of copyrighted music in promotional Instagram reels published by Nykaa. Zee claims that the retailer used songs from its catalog for commercial advertising purposes without proper authorization.

According to court filings, Nykaa argues that Meta should be directly involved in the case because the company manages Instagram’s licensing systems and can clarify whether the use of music clips violated platform rules or licensing agreements.

Zee maintains that its agreement with Meta allows users to include music in personal social media content, but not for commercial marketing or brand promotion. The company is reportedly seeking financial compensation for the alleged copyright violations.

Nykaa has also proposed mediation as a possible way to resolve the dispute before the matter proceeds further in court.

Legal analysts believe the case could have broader consequences for digital advertising and branded content in India, especially for companies that rely heavily on social media marketing campaigns. The outcome may influence how businesses use copyrighted music on platforms such as Instagram in the future.

Copyright disputes involving music and entertainment content have become increasingly common in India’s media industry. Several companies are currently engaged in similar legal battles related to licensing agreements and the commercial use of songs and films online.