Bombay High Court Issues Restraint on Absolute Legend Sports Pvt. Ltd.
The Bombay High Court has restrained Absolute Legend Sports Pvt. Ltd. from using copyrighted songs owned by Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) during the ongoing Legend League Cricket (LLC) tournament, which commenced on March 11, 2026. This ruling comes as a critical intervention in the tournament, which features six teams and is scheduled to run until March 27, 2026.
Justice Sharmila Deshmukh, presiding over the case, acknowledged the “grave urgency” in the plea filed by PPL, emphasizing the necessity of protecting copyright in the realm of sports entertainment. The court noted that the LLC organizers failed to obtain the mandatory license for this year’s tournament, despite having secured such a license in 2023 for the same event. “Prima facie, the procurement of license by Respondent No. 1 in the past would indicate the knowledge of the Respondents that for the purpose of communicating the Plaintiff’s copyrighted sound recordings, it is necessary to obtain the license from the Plaintiff,” Justice Deshmukh stated.
The case, titled Phonographic Performance Limited vs Absolute Legend Sports Private Limited [Commercial Suit (L) 27133 of 2025], highlights the ongoing challenges faced by event organizers in adhering to copyright laws. The court granted ad-interim relief to PPL, preventing the defendants from using its copyrighted songs during the matches. This decision underscores the importance of obtaining proper licensing agreements in the entertainment industry, particularly in high-profile sporting events.
In a separate ruling, the Bombay High Court also addressed a case of sexual assault, where the court observed that the victim’s testimony was sufficient to convict the accused. Justice Manish Pitale remarked, “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 court confirming the victim’s date of birth as February 15, 2002, establishing her status as a minor at the time of the incidents.
The victim had reported the abuse following a “Police Didi” program at her school, revealing the traumatic experiences she endured. The court took into account the four incidents of sexual abuse reported by the victim, which occurred three months prior to the filing of the FIR on July 27, 2018. Justice Pitale noted, “The sole testimony of the prosecutrix is enough to return a finding of conviction, so long as the evidence of the prosecutrix inspires confidence.” This ruling reinforces the judicial system’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring justice is served.
As the LLC tournament progresses, the implications of the Bombay High Court’s ruling on copyright usage will be closely monitored by legal experts and industry stakeholders. Observers expect that this case may set a precedent for future sporting events in India, particularly regarding the intersection of sports and copyright law. The court’s actions reflect a growing awareness of the need for compliance with intellectual property rights in the entertainment sector.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential appeals or further legal actions by Absolute Legend Sports Pvt. Ltd. in response to the court’s decision. The outcome of this case may influence how sports organizations approach licensing agreements in the future, ensuring that they adhere to legal requirements while promoting their events.
