In a notable legal development, Zee Entertainment Enterprises has filed a case against Nykaa in the Delhi High Court, alleging unauthorised use of its copyrighted music in promotional content on Instagram.
The company is seeking damages of approximately ₹2 crore (around $210,000), based on court filings reviewed by IndyaStory. The lawsuit, filed on April 3, focuses on the use of Zee-owned Bollywood songs in short video clips shared by Nykaa on its official Instagram account.
Zee has argued that its licensing agreement with Meta Platforms allows individuals to use its music for non-commercial purposes only. According to the company, this permission does not extend to brands using such tracks for advertising or promotional campaigns.
As per the claims, Nykaa allegedly used several of Zee’s songs in Instagram reels to promote its products to a large audience, without obtaining the required authorisations. The case reportedly highlights 12 such posts, supported by screenshots submitted as part of the evidence.
While detailed court documents are not publicly accessible, both companies have so far declined to issue official statements regarding the dispute.
During a recent hearing, Nykaa’s legal counsel informed the court that the 12 identified reels had already been removed from the platform. This update was recorded in court proceedings.
Zee’s complaint, which reportedly runs over 900 pages, maintains that the music usage amounted to unauthorised commercial exploitation of its content. The company has sought financial compensation on these grounds.
The dispute reflects a broader trend in digital marketing, where brands increasingly rely on short-form video formats like Instagram reels, often using popular Hindi film tracks to enhance reach and engagement.
Legal experts indicate that the outcome of this case could influence how companies approach music licensing on social media. Aditya Gupta, Partner at Ira Law, noted that marketing teams frequently use music from platform libraries without fully understanding the associated usage restrictions. A court ruling in this matter could bring greater clarity to such practices.
The case is scheduled for its next hearing on May 26 and is expected to be closely followed by stakeholders across the media and advertising sectors.
