A hit film song feels like it belongs to everyone — you hear it at weddings, in reels, on the radio. But legally, every song has owners, and they are often at war. In 2026, producer Vashu Bhagnani’s Puja Entertainment secured court protection in a dispute with Tips Music over the alleged unauthorised use of its films and music catalogue, in a case read as a landmark on producers’ intellectual property and “legacy rights.”
A song is not one copyright — it is several
Under the Copyright Act, 1957, a film song bundles together distinct works, each with its own copyright:
- The musical work — the composition (the composer).
- The literary work — the lyrics (the lyricist).
- The sound recording — the actual recorded track (usually the label or producer).
- The cinematograph film — the movie itself (usually the producer).
So when a song is “used,” the user may need permission from more than one rights-holder. That layered structure is why disputes erupt.
Who is the “first owner”?
Section 17 sets the defaults: the author of a work is its first owner — the composer of the music, the lyricist of the words — subject to important carve-outs. Where a work is commissioned by a film producer for valuable consideration, the producer is often the first owner in that context, subject to contract; and the producer of a sound recording generally owns it. In practice, almost everything is governed by contracts and assignments.
The 2012 game-changer: royalties that cannot be signed away
For decades composers and lyricists signed away their rights for a one-time fee. The Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012 gave authors of literary and musical works in films a right to royalties for uses outside the film itself (ringtones, streaming, public performance) that broadly cannot be assigned away except to legal heirs or a copyright society. Bodies like IPRS collect and distribute these royalties.
Assignment vs licensing
- Assignment (Sections 18–19) transfers ownership — like selling. It must be in writing, specifying the work, rights, duration and territory.
- Licensing grants permission to use without transferring ownership — like renting. Content creators usually need a licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the copyright in a Bollywood song?
A song contains several copyrights: the composer owns the music, the lyricist the words, and the producer or label usually owns the sound recording and the film. Singers have separate performers’ rights. Contracts often consolidate these with a producer or label.
Can I use a popular song in my YouTube video or Instagram reel?
Generally only with a licence from the rights-holders or through a platform’s licensed library. Using it without permission can lead to takedowns or legal action.
Do composers and lyricists still earn after selling their songs?
Yes. After the 2012 amendment, authors have a right to royalties for many uses such as streaming and public performance that cannot be fully signed away, collected through societies like IPRS.
How long does copyright in a song last?
Broadly, musical and literary works last for the author’s lifetime plus 60 years; sound recordings and films are protected for 60 years from publication.
What is the difference between assigning and licensing a song?
Assignment transfers ownership (selling) and must be in writing with defined scope; licensing only grants permission to use (renting).
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different; please consult a qualified advocate about your specific matter.
