Tips Music rejects Puja Entertainment's IP claims as malicious, misconceived
Synopsis
Tips Music has fired back at Puja Entertainment's Bihar court suit over music rights, calling the claims 'malicious and misconceived' and asserting it has lawfully held and exploited those rights for nearly three decades. The case spotlights a growing battle over legacy Bollywood catalogue rights — with a Bihar civil court, not a Mumbai commercial bench, as the arena.
Key Takeaways
Tips Music Limited on 14 May publicly rejected Puja Entertainment 's copyright claims as ‘malicious, misconceived, and intended to tarnish reputation.’ Puja Entertainment filed suit before the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Katihar, Bihar , alleging unauthorised use of its films, songs, and copyrighted content.
The Bihar court reportedly granted an interim protection order and directed parties to maintain status quo.
Tips Music claims it holds ‘valid and binding agreements’ and has legitimately exploited the rights for nearly three decades .
Puja Entertainment was founded by Vashu Bhagnani in 1986 ; Tips Music was founded in 1975 by Kumar S.
Taurani and Ramesh S.
Tips Music Limited on Thursday, 14 May issued a sharp rebuttal to what it called “malicious and misconceived” claims by filmmaker Vashu Bhagnani's production banner Puja Entertainment (India) Ltd. (PEIL), escalating an ongoing legal dispute over music and intellectual property rights.
The Legal Dispute
Puja Entertainment had approached the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Katihar, Bihar, alleging that its films, songs, and other copyrighted content were reportedly being used and commercially exploited without proper authorisation by Tips. The Bihar court reportedly granted an interim protection order and directed all involved parties to maintain status quo pending further proceedings.
What Tips Music Said
Responding via its official Instagram account, Tips Music Limited stated: “Tips clarifies that it is the lawful owner of the music rights in question, supported by valid and binding agreements between the parties.”
The label further asserted that it “has openly and legitimately exploited these rights for nearly three decades in full compliance with applicable laws.” On the allegations themselves, Tips did not mince words: “The claims made by PEIL are strongly disputed and appear to be malicious, misconceived, and intended to tarnish the reputation and goodwill of Tips.”
The statement concluded that Tips “remains fully confident in defending its rights before the appropriate courts and shall take all necessary legal steps to protect its interest and ownership of rights.” Notably, Tips added that it was still awaiting formal copies of the court order at the time of issuing the statement.
Background on Both Parties
Puja Entertainment was established by Vashu Bhagnani in 1986 and has bankrolled several commercially successful Bollywood titles, including Coolie No. 1 (1995), Hero No. 1 (1997), and Biwi No. 1 (1999). Tips Music, on the other hand, was founded in 1975 by brothers Kumar S. Taurani and Ramesh S. Taurani, making it one of India's older independent music labels with a catalogue spanning decades.
Why This Case Matters
The dispute highlights a broader tension in India's entertainment industry over legacy music rights — agreements struck in an era before digital streaming that are now being contested as catalogue valuations soar. This is not the first time a production house and a music label have clashed over the scope of rights transferred under older contracts. With streaming royalties increasingly lucrative, such disputes are likely to multiply. The choice of a Bihar civil court — rather than a commercial court in Mumbai — as the forum for the suit is also notable and may itself become a point of contention in proceedings ahead.
What Happens Next
Tips Music has indicated it will pursue all legal remedies available to it. The matter is currently before the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Katihar, Bihar, with the status quo order in place. Both parties are expected to file formal responses once official copies of the court order are served.
Point of View
Possibly to secure a favourable interim order quickly. Tips' near-simultaneous Instagram rebuttal signals it intends to fight this in the court of public opinion as well as law. The deeper issue is structural: legacy music rights agreements from the 1990s rarely anticipated a streaming economy where catalogue is a prized asset. As those valuations climb, expect more production houses to revisit old deals. Tips' claim of ‘nearly three decades’ of unchallenged exploitation is its strongest card — the timing of Puja's suit will need explaining.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal dispute between Tips Music and Puja Entertainment about?
The dispute centres on music and intellectual property rights, with Puja Entertainment alleging that Tips Music Limited used and commercially exploited its films, songs, and copyrighted content without proper authorisation. Tips has denied the claims, asserting it holds valid and binding agreements covering those rights.
Which court is handling the Tips Music vs Puja Entertainment case?
The suit was filed by Puja Entertainment before the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Katihar, Bihar . The court reportedly granted an interim protection order and asked all parties to maintain status quo.
What has Tips Music said in response to Puja Entertainment's claims?
Tips Music stated it is the ‘lawful owner of the music rights in question, supported by valid and binding agreements’ and has legitimately exploited those rights for nearly three decades. It called Puja Entertainment's claims ‘malicious, misconceived, and intended to tarnish its reputation and goodwill.’
Who are the key people behind Puja Entertainment and Tips Music?
Puja Entertainment was founded by Vashu Bhagnani in 1986 and produced films such as Coolie No. 1 and Hero No. 1. Tips Music was founded in 1975 by brothers Kumar S. Taurani and Ramesh S. Taurani .
What happens next in the Tips Music vs Puja Entertainment dispute?
Tips Music has said it will take all necessary legal steps to defend its rights before the appropriate courts. Both parties are expected to file formal responses once official copies of the Bihar court order are served.
