Copyright disputes get more complex as music goes global

With audiences now enjoying instant access to international music catalogues, allegations of cross-border plagiarism are becoming increasingly common.

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Composer Pritam found himself at the centre of one such recent debate after a song from Cocktail 2, scheduled for release this week, drew online comparisons with an Italian track.

Industry experts say such disputes are becoming more visible in the streaming era, but resolving them remains complex. Copyright protection is territorial, with no single global enforcement mechanism, often forcing rights holders to pursue remedies across multiple jurisdictions where a work is commercially exploited.

“Cross-border allegations of music plagiarism have become increasingly common in the digital era. Streaming platforms, social media, and user-generated content enable audiences to instantly compare songs from different jurisdictions, often bringing similarities to public attention before any formal legal action is initiated,” said Ankur Sangal, partner at Khaitan & Co.