Cinefil Producers Performance Limited Moves Delhi High Court Against Lemon Tree Hotels and Others; Out-of-Court Settlement Talks Underway
In Cinefil Producers Performance Ltd. v. Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. & Ors. (CS(COMM) 1130/2025), the Delhi High Court recorded that both parties have agreed to explore an amicable settlement of their dispute. The Court directed them to engage in discussions towards a possible resolution and listed the matter for further hearing on October 28, 2025.
Read order here.
Parliamentary panel asks government to review ‘safe harbour’ protections for social media intermediaries
The Standing Committee on Communications & IT has directed relevant ministries to submit a plan to revisit the safe-harbour protections under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Intermediary Rules. The committee raised concerns that the current protections – which grant intermediaries immunity for user-generated content if they comply with due-process obligations such as grievance redressal and timely content removal – may not be sufficient in view of growing threats like misinformation, deepfakes and manipulative media.
It recommends periodic review of safe-harbour provisions, enhanced traceability/compliance requirements (such as faster takedown mechanisms, provenance metadata) and stronger enforcement frameworks. The implications are significant for platforms, legal-compliance teams and intermediaries: possible legislative amendments could shift the balance of intermediary immunity, notice-and-takedown liability and platform governance obligations.
Centre’s upcoming AI governance framework to push mandatory labelling of AI-generated content
Media reports indicate that the government’s draft AI governance framework will seek to require clear labelling/identification of AI-generated or synthetic content (audio, video, images) so that users can distinguish machine-created or manipulated material. The proposal reportedly draws from international precedents such as the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and regulatory developments in China. Mandatory labelling could mean that platforms and content creators will need to implement disclosures, metadata standards, watermarks or other markers of origin. It also suggests collaboration among sectoral regulators, stakeholder consultations and the introduction of standards for provenance and transparency in synthetic media.
Centre to finalise OTT accessibility guidelines for disabled users within three months, Delhi HC told
The central government has informed the Delhi High Court that it will finalise accessibility guidelines within three months for hearing- and visually-impaired users of over-the-top (OTT) platforms, after publishing draft guidelines and inviting feedback. The move follows a petition by visually-impaired persons who contended that recent Indian films on OTT services lacked essential accessibility features such as subtitles, sign language and audio descriptions. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) assured the court that comments from disability-advocacy groups will be considered before issuing the final rules.
Read more here.
AI spotlight at India Mobile Congress and government messaging
At the recent India Mobile Congress 2025 (8–11 October), artificial intelligence emerged as a major theme of government messaging, emphasising India’s push for AI-driven innovation, regulatory frameworks and self-reliance in technology. The government used the gathering to highlight its intent to promote domestic AI development, introduce governance mechanisms and involve stakeholders.
For industry participants, this serves as a signal that regulatory and policy attention on AI is intensifying, and forthcoming frameworks (such as the one on labelling of synthetic media) may build on the themes flagged at the event.
Hrithik Roshan files suit to protect personality rights from AI misuse
Actor Hrithik Roshan has filed a lawsuit alleging unauthorised use of his likeness/voice via AI or deepfake technology, seeking injunctive relief both against platforms and unidentified actors, takedown of offending content and damages. The action emphasises that personality-rights law is beginning to encompass emerging digital harms involving synthetic media, impersonation or misuse of public persona.
The litigation points to increasing legal recourse by public figures to address AI-based impersonation and may influence how courts treat the intersection of publicity rights, privacy, artificial intelligence and copyright/IP.
Bombay HC orders removal of deepfake content infringing Akshay Kumar
The Bombay High Court granted an order directing removal of AI-generated clips allegedly showing actor Akshay Kumar making inflammatory statements, and restrained both identified and unidentified parties, including some e-commerce listings that hosted the content. The decision demonstrates judicial readiness to intervene promptly where synthetic content causes reputational or public-safety concerns involving public figures.
Platforms and intermediaries may increasingly face expedited relief orders, and the case signals a growing judicial focus on deepfakes and impersonation via emerging technologies.
Read order here.
Bombay HC grants interim protection to Suniel Shetty against unauthorised AI images
In a similar vein, the Bombay High Court granted interim relief to actor Suniel Shetty restraining the creation and publication of AI-generated images purporting to depict him in compromising contexts. The case again illustrates the courts’ willingness to grant emergency interim remedies in the synthetic-media/personality-rights space pending full adjudication.
Read order here.
CBFC – Kerala HC / ‘Haal’ certification dispute
The producer of the film Haal has approached the Kerala High Court challenging a direction of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to remove or modify multiple scenes — reportedly including sequences featuring beef biryani and an actress wearing a burqa. The court has agreed to view the film before hearing the arguments. The dispute highlights tensions between certification authority discretion, artistic freedom under the Constitution and sensitivity to community/moral contexts.
Filmmakers may increasingly turn to judicial review where certification cuts are challenged, and certification bodies may face scrutiny regarding procedure, criteria and appeal mechanisms.
Madras HC extends stay on use of Ilaiyaraaja songs in Ajith film
The Madras High Court extended an interim injunction restraining the use of multiple compositions by composer Ilaiyaraaja in the film Good Bad Ugly. The dispute centres on ownership and permission of legacy recordings (composer rights, publisher rights, label rights). Music rights litigation continues to be a recurring obstacle for filmmakers, often causing delays in release or post-production.
In such cases, producers and distributors must ensure clear chain-of-title for all rights (composition, recording, synchronisation, adaptation) at the outset.
Read more here.
Alchem International vs Alkem – trademark litigation in Delhi HC
Alchem International has challenged before the Delhi High Court a single-judge order which had restrained its use of the “Alchem” mark on the basis of alleged confusion with the established brand Alkem Laboratories. Trademark disputes in the pharma sector commonly involve issues of likelihood of confusion, similarity of goods/services class and market reputation. The appeal reflects the contest between incumbents and new entrants over branding rights and the extent of protection for similar marks.
Brand-owners should ensure robust evidence of reputation, market recognition and consumer confusion; challengers must present distinct channel or trade proof. Preliminary injunctions remain a key aspect of such litigation.
Read order here.
Trademark dispute – ‘BROCODE’ film vs drinks brand
The Madras High Court granted interim relief to the film studio behind BROCODE allowing use of the title “BROCODE” despite a trademark challenge by an alcoholic-beverage brand. The case illustrates how film title-use (which may enjoy expressive/artistic protection) is weighed against a brand owner’s claim of trademark infringement or confusion.
Producers should undertake searches and risk assessments for title use early, and where necessary negotiate coexistence or clearance agreements. Brand owners must demonstrate real overlap or confusion rather than relying purely on similarity in name.
Read order here.
Safe-harbour review + potential liability changes could affect moderation, notice-and-takedown and OTT regulation
If the parliamentary committee’s recommended review of safe-harbour protections leads to legislation or regulatory amendment, this may materially affect how intermediaries moderate content in India. Possible changes include tightened liability for platforms (faster takedown timelines, tracing originators, transparency/reporting obligations), stronger compliance obligations for OTT or streaming intermediaries, and altered risk models for moderation.
Intermediary-legal teams, platform compliance units and content moderators should monitor forthcoming rules, assess operational readiness, update escalation/takedown chains and consider potential cost and resource implications.
AI labelling rules likely to affect creators, platforms and advertisers
Proposed mandatory labelling of synthetic or AI-generated media implies that creators may need to apply durable disclosures to works, platforms may need to detect and accept provenance metadata, and advertisers will need assurance that sponsored content involving synthetic media is clearly identified. Enforcement could include penalties or liability for mis-labelling or failure to disclose synthetic nature.
Tamil Nadu ‘Hindi-ban’ reporting – corrections and fact-checks after confusion
Reports circulated that the Tamil Nadu government was preparing legislation to ban Hindi hoardings, films, songs or public signage. Subsequently, the state’s official fact-check unit clarified that no such proposal had been received, labelling the claim “completely false.”
The episode underscores how language-policy rumours can quickly become regulatory flash-points.
Delhi HC directs Google to use technology to remove misleading content violating Sadhguru’s personality rights
The Delhi High Court has directed Google LLC to work with Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev to identify and remove misleading or deepfake content violating his personality rights, urging the company to employ technology to automatically detect and eliminate identical or similar infringing material. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora ordered a collaborative meeting between the parties and permitted Google to file an affidavit if technological constraints arise. The order follows the May 30 John Doe injunction granted by Justice Saurabh Banerjee restraining misuse of Sadhguru’s image, voice, and likeness through AI or other media.
Read order here.
