NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Zee Entertainment has asked the Delhi High Court to begin contempt proceedings against JioStar, alleging that the company continued using Zee’s copyrighted music after a court order barred it from doing so. The court asked JioStar to respond to Zee’s allegations at a hearing Friday and will hear the matter again in December, Reuters reported. It has not ruled that JioStar violated the order.
Zee filed its application on Sept. 21, accusing JioStar of “wilful disobedience.” The company identified six instances between May and July in which it says JioStar used its songs in programs carried on its platforms. Zee described the alleged use as active exploitation of its copyrighted works.
The dispute began in April, when Zee sued JioStar for $3 million in damages. Zee alleged at least 50 copyright violations involving music used on JioStar’s television channels and streaming platform after licensing agreements expired.
On May 5, the Delhi High Court ordered JioStar to stop using, publishing, broadcasting, streaming, uploading or copying works for which Zee holds exclusive copyright. The court also referred the companies to mediation.
At that hearing, JioStar’s lawyers said the alleged uses were unintentional and “purely residual in nature.” They told the court that JioStar had removed a substantial amount of Zee’s content after the licenses expired and would take down other instances that Zee identified. Zee’s latest filing alleges that JioStar continued using its music despite those steps and the court’s order.
JioStar declined to comment on the contempt application. Zee did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
The companies are also involved in a separate dispute over film rights. JioStar has accused Zee of broadcasting Bollywood movies when JioStar held the rights to them. JioStar emerged from the $8.5 billion merger of Reliance Industries’ and Disney’s Indian media businesses in 2024.
JioStar’s response to Zee’s new allegations will be the next step in the music case. The court has scheduled its next hearing for December.
