The 75-year-old was subject to a lengthy police probe over claims made by four men dating between 1958 and 1983, before prosecutors announced in June his case was being dropped on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
A spokesman for the singer said: "We can confirm that Sir Cliff today [Thursday] issued legal proceedings at the High Court against both SYP and the BBC. It would not be appropriate to comment further."
Sir Cliff, who was never charged or arrested, was publicly named as the subject of the investigation after a police search at his Berkshire apartment in 2014 was broadcast live.
Speaking in June, he said: "Other than in exceptional cases, people who are facing allegations should never be named publicly until charged. I was named before I was even interviewed and for me that was like being hung out like 'live bait'.
"It is obvious that such strategies simply increase the risk of attracting spurious claims which not only tie up police resources and waste public funds, but they forever tarnish the reputations of innocent people."
Papers filed at the High Court in London on Thursday list the 75-year-old as a claimant and the broadcaster and South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable as defendants.
A BBC spokesman said: "While we haven't received any notification of action, we've said previously we are very sorry that Sir Cliff has suffered distress but we have a duty to report on matters of public interest and we stand by our journalism."
Sir Cliff is now campaigning for a change in the law to stop people accused of sex abuse being named unless they are charged, and he is due to discuss the issue when he meets members of the House of Lords on 17th October.
Speaking in June, he added: ''I have always maintained my innocence, co-operated fully with the investigation, and cannot understand why it has taken so long to get to this point.
''Nevertheless, I am obviously thrilled that the vile accusations and the resulting investigation have finally been brought to a close.''