Don't use my songs without permission, warns Ilayaraja

Irked by the rampant violation of his copyright, renowned composer Ilayaraja today warned against the use of any of his works produced before the year 2000 without "prior permission and licensing."
    
"It is a warning. Movie producers and composers are advised not to use my songs and background scores (including remixes) without prior permission and licensing. It is also mandatory for advertisement agencies, TV Channels and TV serial producers to take proper license and permission," Illayaraja told reporters.
    
The composer has authorised the company Agi music , which has bagged the rights to his songs made prior to 2000, to initiate legal proceedings against any violations.
    
"Agi Music has the rights to administrate all of Ilayaraja's works before the year 2000, in all areas and platform including radio broadcasting, synchronization usages, mechanical usages, mobile contents and Internet downloads," Agilan Lechaman, CEO, Agi Music, said.
    
Ilayaraja, who had last scored music for the Amitabh-Abhishek Bachchan starrer Paa, said that "record labels" were violating the copyright of his songs by releasing them in digital and new media format.
     
"Therefore I have entered into a licensing agreement with Agi Music for manufacturing and distribution of my songs in any format, including mobile ringtones, caller tones and online downloads," he said.
     
He sought "stricter punishment" and more stringent laws to deal with copyright infringement.