New Delhi: Reliance-Disney joint venture has now taken its relationship of copyright dispute with Zee Entertainment to the next level as India’s High Court of Delhi has invited it for contempt proceedings.
A legal filing dated September 21 said that Zee claims that JioStar continues to use its music and songs on its programmes despite the court having banned the use of the same. Zee says JioStar has been guilty of “wilful disobedience” by failing to comply with the injunction.
The case was heard in court on Friday. The Indian high court in Delhi has issued a notice to JioStar in response to Zee’s “new” claims, the source said, adding that the hearing was scheduled to be held in December.
JioStar did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Zee did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters reported.
Background on the rivals
Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-backed JioStar is the result of the merger of Reliance’s and Disney’s media assets in India in 2024. The merged company is India’s biggest media and entertainment company, outgunned by Zee, one of the oldest Indian broadcasters.
The two companies have been embroiled in a court battle before. JioStar has also levelled a set-tweet complaint against Zee for airing “popular” Bollywood movies without its permission, when it was still the rightful owner of the same. The latest filing effectively puts Zee on the offensive as the rights-holder.
The fight highlights the escalating competition in India’s media market after a major merger between Reliance and Disney, bringing together a huge stake in TV and streaming services. As the merged giant scales the heights in Indian entertainment, it has increasingly been using the weapon of litigation to secure enough protection for content rights, small times broadcasters like Zee have found.
The case will probably stay a flash point in the larger competition between the two as they battle for viewers, advertisers, and content in India’s rapidly expanding media market with the next hearing set for December.
