Copyrights | Intellepedia

No Music License, No New Year Party: Why Hotels Must Tune In Legally

In the case of The Indian Performing Right Society Limited vs Chocolate Hotels Private Limited, the petitioner alleged that Chocolate Hotels planned a New Year’s Eve celebration on 31st December 2025 featuring live music and DJ performances without acquiring the necessary music license. Despite multiple notices, the hotel remained unresponsive. The court, finding a strong prima facie case, passed an interim injunction prohibiting the unlicensed use of copyrighted music.

Copied Tractor Parts, Not the Drawings? That’s Not Infringement

Can you infringe copyright without ever seeing the original work? In a case about tractor parts and engineering drawings, the Madras High Court answered no. It ruled that producing similar tractor components without accessing or copying the original technical drawings does not violate copyright—even if the final parts match in size or shape.

Old Music, New Platforms, No Rights: 1977 Bhikari Bal Odia Music Agreement Limitations

In a dispute concerning copyright in Odia devotional music, the Calcutta High Court declined interim protection to the petitioner who claimed exclusive rights in the song “Sathi Pauti Bhoga” through agreements with Bhikari Bal and Radhanath Das. The court held that the agreements were of limited duration, royalty obligations were not fulfilled, and allegations of forgery raised serious questions of fact.

Music Copyright Dispute Over Sagara Sangamam, and Shankarabharanam: Infringement Remedy Survives Even if Declaration Is Time-Barred

The Madras High Court looked at a copyright ownership dispute over the music of Salangai Oli, Sagara Sangamam, and Shankarabharanam, where both parties claimed rights through assignments from the original producers. The court held that while the claim for a declaration of ownership was time-barred, the plaintiff could still pursue the case for infringement and ask for a permanent injunction to prevent infringement of asserted rights.

When Authors Sign Away Rights: Producer–Author Copyright Contracts Tested in Bombay High Court

In the case of Rao and Sapru Films Pvt. Ltd. v. Alok Kumar, the Bombay High Court analysed a contractual dispute between a producer and a music director–singer over rights in ten songs. The court held that the producer, who had paid consideration and obtained signed assignments, was the copyright holder, and the author could not assert rights after the fact without setting aside the agreements.

Use of copyright works for AI in India: One Nation One License One Payment

The DPIIT consultation paper ‘One Nation One License One Payment’ proposes a hybrid blanket licence–royalty framework for AI training on copyrighted works in India. This post sets out the proposed mechanism, key stakeholder positions and the timeline for filing comments with DPIIT.

Madras HC Awards ₹20 Lakhs Compensation in Amma Memorial Digital Project Dispute

In the background a museum with lighting visuals the overlay text reads, 'Amma memorial digital project dispute: The Case of Praveen Raj Jayachandran v. Fusion VR'

The Madras High Court resolved the Amma Memorial Digital Project dispute by awarding reasonable compensation for partial software development and concept creation. The judgement clarified copyright ownership, absence of profit-sharing rights, and the basis for determining damages in software-related project collaborations.

Ilaiyaraja Cannot License Naguva Nayana, Delhi HC Says Producer Owns Copyright

In the case of Saregama India Limited vs Black Madras Films & Ors, the Delhi High Court upheld the copyright ownership of the plaintiff over the song Naguva Nayana, rejecting composer Ilaiyaraja’s authority to license it. The Court said the defendants could release their film only after depositing a licence fee, if they continued to use the song.

Film Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy Fails Copyright Test: Title, Script, and Ads Not Infringing

Yellow banner with a 3D clipboard showing a red X and check marks, alongside the text “Film Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy Fails Copyright Test: Title, Script, and Ads Not Infringing.

In the case of Everest Entertainment LLP vs. Mahesh Vaman Manjrekar, the Bombay High Court considered whether copyright subsists in the title Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy, and whether the defendants infringed the script or promotional content of the film. The Court found no substantial reproduction of the script or advertisements, and held that copyright protection does not extend to the film’s title.

Premji Invest Secures Dynamic Injunction against Fraudsters

Digital security shield protecting against fraudulent websites, symbolizing court-ordered dynamic injunction measures to block deceptive domains.

The Delhi High Court granted Premji Invest a dynamic injunction to counteract ongoing impersonation and intellectual property fraud. The order allows real-time blocking of deceptive websites and apps, ensuring robust protection for both the business and the public.