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. The court’s decision highlights the importance of adhering to copyright laws in sports events, especially when it comes to the use of music.
Justice Sharmila Deshmukh, presiding over the case, emphasized the “grave urgency” in the plea filed by PPL, noting that the LLC organizers had failed to obtain the mandatory license for this year’s tournament. The matches are scheduled to take place daily until March 27, 2026, with six teams participating in the tournament.
In her ruling, Justice Deshmukh stated, “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.” This statement underscores the court’s recognition of the potential infringement on PPL’s rights, especially given that a license had been obtained for the tournament in 2023.
The case, titled Phonographic Performance Limited vs Absolute Legend Sports Private Limited [Commercial Suit (L) 27133 of 2025], has drawn attention to the legal obligations of event organizers regarding music rights. The court granted ad-interim relief to PPL, preventing the defendants from using its copyrighted songs during the tournament.
In a separate 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 addressing various legal issues beyond sports law.
Additionally, the court recently ruled on a case of sexual assault, where Justice Manish Pitale stated, “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.” The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting his daughter, with the victim’s testimony being deemed sufficient for conviction.
The victim’s date of birth was confirmed as February 15, 2002, making her a minor at the time of the incidents. She reported the abuse after a “Police Didi” program at her school, which indicates the importance of such initiatives in empowering victims to come forward.
As the LLC tournament continues, observers will be watching closely to see how the organizers respond to the court’s ruling and whether they will take steps to comply with copyright laws in the future. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential appeal or further legal actions by Absolute Legend Sports Pvt. Ltd.
