Copyrights | Intellepedia

AI, Identity & Injunctions: The Vivek Anand Oberoi Personality Rights Case

A personality rights injunction was granted by the Delhi High Court in favour of Vivek Anand Oberoi against alleged AI deepfakes and unauthorised use of his persona. Takedown and intermediary disclosure directions were issued.

Intellepedia’s Top Copyright Articles of 2025: A Year in Review

Explore the top Indian copyright cases and policy changes of 2025, including AI-related rulings, music licensing reforms, and major court decisions.

Same MAXO, New Spy: When a Mosquito Repellent Became a Camera and Trade Mark Law Stepped In

In the case of Jyothy Labs Limited vs Gautam Kumar, the court examined whether embedding spy cameras inside MAXO mosquito repellent machines and selling them online could be justified as resale, or whether such conduct crossed into trade mark infringement, trade dress misuse, and passing off.

Same Hair, Same Care, Same Jasmine: Too Familiar for Trade Mark and Copyright Comfort

In the case of Marico Limited vs Minolta Natural Care, the court examined whether the defendants’ Jasmine and Hair Protection hair oil products unlawfully copied the distinctive trade dress, logos, and packaging of the plaintiff’s well known Jasmine and Hair and Care hair oil products sold under the Parachute house mark, and granted interim relief to the plaintiff.

Gen AI, Copyrights, and Hybrid Licensing in India Why the Assumptions May Not Sustain the Model

The DPIIT committee’s proposal for a hybrid licensing model for AI training rests on a set of assumptions about creativity, copyright ownership, collective management, and regulatory control. A closer examination of these assumptions raises important questions about whether the model can deliver the balance it seeks to achieve. In particular, the model appears to strengthen the position of copyright owning entities while offering limited benefits to authors and creators, introduces administrative complexity in a rapidly evolving technological space, and relies heavily on institutional structures that have historically faced governance and efficiency challenges in India. Against this backdrop, the article explores whether India would be better served by an open and carefully calibrated AI training exception, supported by a statutory right that directly recognises and strengthens authors and creators, rather than by an expansive licensing regime built on contested assumptions.

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.