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India’s Nykaa seeks to include Meta in music copyright fight with Zee

By Thomson Reuters May 20, 2026 | 7:41 AM

By Aditya Kalra

NEW DELHI, May 20 (Reuters) – Indian fashion-to-beauty retailer Nykaa has asked a New Delhi court to make Meta a ​party to a copyright dispute filed by ‌media firm Zee, court documents show, in a case seen as having implications for the commercial use of music on Instagram.

• Zee Entertainment has sued Nykaa for ‌allegedly ​using its copyrighted songs in ⁠Instagram reels to promote ⁠its products, seeking $210,000 in damages, Reuters reported this month.

• In a non-public filing dated May 19 and seen by Reuters on Wednesday, ​Nykaa told the Delhi High Court that Meta must be included, as only it can “authoritatively ⁠state whether use” of ⁠music clips by Nykaa breached any ​licence terms.

• Zee argues its licensing agreement with Meta ​allows individuals to use its music in ‌posts, but only for non-commercial purposes.

• Nykaa has also argued the dispute should first go to mediation, the filings show.

• Legal experts say the ⁠case could have wider implications, given Nykaa and Zee are both major listed companies in India.

• Meta, ⁠Nykaa and Zee ‌did not respond to requests ⁠for comment.

• Music and film copyright ​disputes ‌have been in focus in India. ​Zee has ⁠also sued a Reliance-Disney joint venture over alleged use of its music, while the Reliance-led venture has filed a case against Zee over alleged Bollywood film licensing breaches.

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra. Editing by ​Mark Potter)