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) in the ongoing Legend League Cricket (LLC) tournament. This decision comes as the tournament commenced on March 11, 2026, with six teams participating and is scheduled to run until March 27, 2026.
Justice Sharmila Deshmukh, presiding over the case, emphasized the “grave urgency” in the plea filed by PPL, which highlighted that the LLC organizers did not obtain the mandatory license for this year’s 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 indicates that the court recognized the potential for copyright infringement based on previous practices.
PPL had successfully obtained a license for the tournament in 2023, setting a precedent for the necessity of such permissions. The court’s decision to grant ad-interim relief to PPL prevents Absolute Legend Sports from utilizing its copyrighted songs during the matches, which could have significant implications for the tournament’s entertainment value.
The LLC tournament, which features daily matches, is a popular event in the sports calendar, and the absence of licensed music could affect its atmosphere. Observers note that the ruling underscores the importance of copyright compliance in the sports industry, particularly as events increasingly rely on music to enhance viewer engagement.
In a separate matter, the Bombay High Court also sought a response from MNLU Nagpur regarding a plea challenging Ph.D. program admissions. This highlights the court’s active role in addressing various legal issues beyond sports law.
In another ruling, Justice Manish Pitale underscored the importance of victim testimony in sexual assault cases, stating, “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.” This statement came as the court sentenced an individual to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting his daughter, with the victim’s date of birth confirmed as February 15, 2002, indicating she was a minor at the time of the incidents.
The victim had reported the abuse after a ‘Police Didi’ program at her school, leading to the filing of an FIR on July 27, 2018. The court found the victim’s testimony sufficient to convict the accused, emphasizing that “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 reflects the court’s commitment to upholding justice for victims of sexual abuse.
As the LLC tournament progresses, the implications of the Bombay High Court’s ruling on copyright usage will be closely monitored. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential appeals or further legal actions by Absolute Legend Sports Pvt. Ltd. regarding the court’s decision.
