Media and Entertainment Law

D.M. Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. v. Baby Gift House and Ors.

The Delhi High Court’s decision in D.M. Entertainment v. Baby Gift House clarified the contours of the right of publicity in India. The case involved unauthorized commercial use of Daler Mehndi’s persona, resulting in findings of infringement, false endorsement, and passing off.

Music Broadcast Pvt. Ltd. v. Super Cassette Industries Ltd.

The case examines whether the Copyright Board can issue interim orders and fix royalties in ongoing disputes under Section 31 of the Copyright Act. The court affirmed the Board’s authority, emphasising the need for interim relief to prevent irreparable harm during lengthy litigation.

Cinematograph Act Amendment, Facebook to Make Political Ads Transparent, No Removal of Explicit Streaming Content, EU Agrees on Copyrights, Fiji Counter-sues, and more

A comprehensive review of the Cinematograph Act Amendment, Facebook’s political ad regulations, and evolving copyright rules in the EU. The article discusses recent litigation, licensing developments, and copyright trends in India with an objective legal perspective.

SAP Aktiengesellschaft & Anr (Plaintiff) Vs. Sadiq Pasha, Proprietor, M/s Neologik India

The Delhi High Court restrained Neologik India from using pirated SAP software and awarded punitive damages for copyright infringement. This decision highlights the judiciary’s strict approach to commercial software piracy and the significance of punitive damages in such cases.

Matrubhumi Printing and Publishing Ltd v. IPRS

The Kerala High Court clarified that producers, not composers, own the copyright in sound recordings used in films, unless a contract states otherwise. Matrubhumi and Malayalam Manorama were found not to infringe composer or lyricist rights by broadcasting such recordings on FM radio.

Sholay Media and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and Anr. v. Vodafone Essar Mobile Services Ltd. and Ors.

The Delhi High Court addressed copyright assignment and royalty issues in the Sholay ringtone case involving Vodafone. The Court denied an injunction but established conditions to protect the copyright holders’ interests. This judgement clarifies digital media exploitation and royalty rights under Indian copyright law.

Facebook to Share Chats with Police, Artist Sues Ariana Grande, ‘Fiji Water Girl’ Suit, and more

This post reviews key copyright and entertainment law developments, focusing on legal disputes, policy updates, and industry news in India and globally. Detailed analysis covers Facebook’s cooperation with law enforcement, major copyright lawsuits, and digital media business trends.

No Unauthorised Use of TOI and ET Content, Gigi Hadid Sued, Vice Partners with Hulu, and more

This post examines recent copyright infringement cases involving Indian and international entities, including Times of India, Gigi Hadid, and Vice Media. It offers legal insights on unauthorised content use and highlights new content licensing trends.

History of Copyright Law in India

This article examines the historical trajectory of copyright law in India, from its colonial origins to modern statutes. It analyses key legislative milestones and the impact of international agreements on Indian copyright regulation.

ShareChat Bans 50,000 Profiles, ‘Rifleman’ Rights Tussle, Reddit Shuts Down SoccerSteams, and more.

This post analyses key copyright and legal news, including ShareChat’s large-scale account ban, a Bollywood rights dispute, and international cases of copyright infringement. Recent trends in copyright registration and major media industry moves are also discussed.