Delhi High Court Restricts Canva’s ‘Present and Record’ Feature in India Over Patent Dispute
The Delhi High Court has passed an interim order restraining Canva from offering its “Present and Record” feature within India. The decision follows a patent infringement suit filed by a software company alleging that Canva’s tool, which allows users to record a video of themselves while presenting slides, overlaps with their patented technology. The court observed that a prima facie case for infringement was established, leading to the temporary suspension of the feature until further adjudication.
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Delhi High Court Dismisses Sameer Wankhede’s Defamation Suit Against Netflix Show ‘Bads of Bollywood’
The Delhi High Court rejected a plea by former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede seeking to halt the release of the Netflix series ‘Bads of Bollywood’, produced by Aryan Khan. Wankhede alleged the show was defamatory and intended to malign his reputation following the high-profile Cordelia cruise drug case. However, the court ruled that the show is a work of fiction and that an injunction would interfere with the freedom of creative expression, especially since the series includes a standard disclaimer.
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Delhi High Court Halts AI-Generated Film Over Unauthorized Use of Akira Nandan’s Identity
In a significant move for personality rights, the Delhi High Court stayed the release of a film that utilized AI to replicate the likeness and voice of Akira Nandan, son of actor-politician Pawan Kalyan. The court emphasized that the unauthorized use of an individual’s identity for commercial purposes, even through AI, violates their right to privacy and publicity. The court noted that such “deepfake” or AI-driven recreations require explicit consent from the individual or their legal guardians.
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Madras High Court Restrains Unauthorized Broadcast of Rani Mukerji Starrer ‘Mardaani 3’
Ahead of its anticipated release, the Madras High Court has issued a “John Doe” injunction to prevent the illegal streaming and broadcast of the film ‘Mardaani 3’. The court directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block over 1,000 pirate websites and restrained cable operators from airing unauthorized clips or the full feature, protecting Yash Raj Films’ copyright and financial interests.
Madras High Court Sets Aside Single Judge Order Granting ‘UA16+’ Certificate to ‘Jana Nayagan’
A Division Bench of the Madras High Court has set aside a previous order that directed the CBFC to issue a ‘UA16+’ certificate to the film ‘Jana Nayagan’. The court agreed with the CBFC’s contention that it was not given a fair hearing and that the single judge’s swift decision bypassed statutory procedures. The matter has been remanded for a fresh hearing, and the CBFC has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to prevent any ex-parte orders.
Delhi High Court Grants Interim Relief to Delhivery in Trademark and Copyright Case
Logistics giant Delhivery has secured an interim injunction against an entity using a deceptively similar name and logo. The court observed that the defendant’s branding was likely to cause confusion among consumers and appeared to be a deliberate attempt to capitalize on Delhivery’s established goodwill in the logistics sector.
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Delhi High Court Restrains Misuse of ‘Bajaj Finance’ Trademarks in Loan Scams
The Delhi High Court has issued an interim injunction against several fraudulent websites and entities using the “Bajaj Finance” name and logo to dupe the public under the guise of offering easy loans. The court directed telecom authorities and domain registrars to block these fraudulent platforms immediately to protect the trademark and the public interest.
FIR Filed Against Ranveer Singh Over Alleged Insult to Religious Sentiments
An FIR has been registered against Ranveer Singh following a complaint alleging that he hurt religious sentiments during an appearance at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The complaint, filed by a Bengaluru-based lawyer, claims that the actor mockingly reenacted elements associated with the Daiva tradition from coastal Karnataka and referred to Chavundi Daiva in a derogatory manner while alluding to a scene from Kantara. The matter was taken up after a court-directed probe, and the police have reportedly booked the actor under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, with the video of the incident circulating on social media and triggering objections from devotees who consider the ritual sacred.
Delhi High Court Grants Injunction to Happi Planet Against Counterfeit Products on E-commerce Platforms
Sustainable brand Happi Planet successfully moved the Delhi High Court to stop the sale of counterfeit home-care products on major e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho. The court directed the platforms to take down listings of infringing products that mimicked Happi Planet’s distinct packaging and branding.
Andhra Pradesh Government Weighs Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
In a move echoing recent global trends, the Andhra Pradesh government is considering a ban or strict restrictions on social media access for individuals under the age of 16. The policy aims to address concerns regarding mental health, cyberbullying, and digital addiction, with a decision expected following consultations with stakeholders and legal experts.
Music Publishers Sue Anthropic Over Alleged Mass Torrenting for AI Training
A group of major music publishers has filed a new lawsuit against AI firm Anthropic, alleging the company engaged in “mass torrenting” of copyrighted song lyrics and compositions to train its AI models. The suit claims that Anthropic bypassed legal licensing channels and used pirated datasets to improve its model’s ability to generate song lyrics, constituting large-scale copyright infringement.
EU Proposes New Regulations Requiring AI Companies to Pay for Copyrighted Content
The European Union is moving toward a landmark policy that would mandate AI developers to compensate publishers and creators for the use of copyrighted works in training datasets. The proposal aims to bridge the gap between AI innovation and intellectual property protection, ensuring that the use of “scraped” data is subject to fair remuneration and transparency.
YouTubers File Class-Action Suit Against Snap for AI Copyright Infringement
A group of high-profile YouTubers has sued Snap Inc., alleging that the company’s “My AI” features were trained on their video content without permission or compensation. The plaintiffs argue that Snap’s AI effectively “digests” their creative output to generate responses, infringing on their copyright and diminishing the value of their original work.
Patagonia Sues Activist and Drag Queen ‘Pattie Gonia’ for Trademark Infringement
Outdoor apparel brand Patagonia has filed a lawsuit against environmental activist and drag queen Pattie Gonia. The company alleges that the use of the name and specific branding elements on merchandise creates a “likelihood of confusion” and dilutes the Patagonia trademark, despite the activist’s focus on environmental advocacy.
Mumbai Court Restrains Abhinav Kashyap from Defamatory Comments Against Salman Khan’s Family
A Mumbai civil court has temporarily barred filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap and associated parties from making, publishing, or circulating any defamatory or derogatory statements about actor Salman Khan and his family in response to a defamation suit filed by Khan seeking an injunction, damages of INR 9 crore and an apology. The order, issued by Judge P.G. Bhosale, held that while freedom of speech is fundamental, it does not permit abusive or insulting language, and restrained Kashyap and others from further posting or sharing such content until they appear in court and respond to the suit.
