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Zee Sues Nykaa Over Instagram Reels Music, Seeks ₹2 Crore

The Delhi High Court case could set the rules for whether platform music licenses cover brand advertising.

Overview

  • Zee Entertainment, which filed the lawsuit on April 3rd in the Delhi High Court, accuses Nykaa of using Zee-owned songs in Instagram reels to sell products and seeks about $210,000 in damages.
  • Zee says its deal with Meta permits only personal, non-commercial use of its music on Instagram and argues Nykaa’s promotional reels counted as advertising.
  • The complaint runs more than 900 pages and lists 12 reels with screenshots that Zee says show unlicensed use.
  • Nykaa’s lawyer told the court the 12 flagged links were taken down, and the next hearing is set for May 26.
  • Legal experts say the outcome could force brands and influencers to secure direct music licenses for short videos, building on earlier rulings in India that tightened rights-holder control over commercial use.