MUMBAI: The Madras High Court has passed a landmark judgement wherein Sun TV, which was found using a number of Sony Music songs without approval, have been restrained from using copyrighted work with immediate effect.

This judgement was passed by Justice K Kalyanasundaram after the global music giant challenged the leading Chennai-based television network.

This important order validates the rights that have been given to creators and owners, and will go a long way to ensure a fair economic balance between the creative community and the larger broadcast and internet organisations.

Approvals from music rights owners are mandatory before using (synchronisation) songs with new visuals. The music could be existing songs, versions or underlying works. TV broadcasters, advertisers, film producers and internet companies, who use existing music, will now need to seek prior permission from copyright-owners before communicating to the public including broadcasters.

This decision will help the music and film industry as authors, composers and labels shall be entitled to claim their rightful share.