Bombay High Court Issues Restraint on Copyrighted Music for Legend League Cricket
Bombay High Court Issues Restraint on Copyrighted Music for Legend League Cricket
The Bombay High Court has restrained Absolute Legend Sports Pvt. Ltd. from using copyrighted songs owned by Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) in the ongoing Legend League Cricket (LLC) tournament, which commenced on March 11, 2026. This decision comes amid concerns over the lack of a mandatory license for the use of such music during the matches, which are scheduled to run until March 27, 2026.
Justice Sharmila Deshmukh, who presided over the case, highlighted the “grave urgency” of the situation in her ruling. She noted that the action taken by PPL was justified, given that the LLC organizers had previously obtained a license for the tournament in 2023 but failed to do so for the current event. “The action in the present case is quia timet action and apprehension that the Plaintiff’s copyrighted sound recordings will be played at the matches appears to be well-founded as in the past license was procured,” Justice Deshmukh stated.
In total, six teams are participating in this year’s LLC tournament, which has garnered significant attention from cricket fans and media alike. The court’s decision to grant ad-interim relief to PPL prevents Absolute Legend Sports from using its copyrighted songs until further notice. This ruling underscores the importance of adhering to copyright laws, particularly in the entertainment and sports sectors.
In a related matter, the Bombay High Court also sought a response from MNLU Nagpur regarding a plea challenging admissions to its Ph.D. program. This highlights the court’s active role in overseeing educational institutions and ensuring compliance with legal standards.
In a separate case, Justice Manish Pitale ruled that the testimony of a victim was sufficient to convict an accused in a sexual assault case. The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting his daughter, with the court emphasizing the need for justice in such grave matters. “When a child is forced to suffer at the hands of her own father, the law must speak in a voice that is resolute and uncompromising,” Justice Pitale remarked.
The victim’s date of birth was confirmed as February 15, 2002, indicating she was a minor at the time of the incidents. The court acknowledged the victim’s testimony as credible, stating, “The sole testimony of the prosecutrix is enough to return a finding of conviction, so long as the evidence of the prosecutrix inspires confidence.” This case reflects the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals.
As the LLC tournament progresses, observers will be keen to see how Absolute Legend Sports responds to the court’s ruling and whether they will seek to obtain the necessary licenses to continue using copyrighted music. Meanwhile, the legal landscape surrounding copyright in sports continues to evolve, with this case serving as a significant precedent.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential appeals or further legal actions that may arise from these rulings. The Bombay High Court’s decisions in these matters highlight the critical intersection of law, sports, and individual rights in India.
