T. Rajendar moves Madras High Court alleging copyright infringement of songs
Actor and filmmaker T. Rajendar has approached the Madras High Court alleging unauthorised use of songs he composed for the film Uyir Ulla Varai Usha. He contends that the defendants exploited these works without obtaining valid licences or permissions, thereby infringing his copyright. The plea highlights continuing disputes around ownership and assignment of music rights in legacy Tamil cinema. The Court will likely examine contractual arrangements governing authorship and exploitation rights. The matter underscores the importance of clear chain-of-title documentation in older works now being commercially reused.
Delhi HC holds Rakshit Shetty and his production house Paramvah Studios liable for unauthorised use of MRT Music songs in the film Bachelor Party
The Delhi High Court held Rakshit Shetty and his production house guilty of copyright infringement and contempt for using songs owned by MRT Music in the Kannada film Bachelor Party without obtaining a licence, directing payment of INR 25 lakh (INR 20 lakh compensation plus INR 5 lakh as costs to purge contempt). The Court rejected the defence of “minimal” or incidental use, observing that even short clips used deliberately to advance the film’s narrative require prior authorisation, and further noted the defendants’ failure to comply with an earlier deposit order, which triggered contempt proceedings, though imprisonment was avoided in view of a subsequent apology.
US Court dismisses $50 million copyright suit against Cardi B
A US court dismissed a high-value copyright infringement lawsuit against Cardi B concerning her song Enough (Miami), holding that the plaintiff failed to establish substantial similarity. The decision reiterates the high evidentiary threshold required to prove copying in music copyright disputes. Courts continue to distinguish between protectable expression and unprotectable elements such as common phrases or stylistic similarities. The ruling aligns with recent US jurisprudence narrowing the scope of actionable music infringement claims. It offers some relief to artists amid increasing litigation in the music industry.
Script theft allegations surface in Dhurandhar 2 dispute
A filmmaker has publicly alleged that the storyline of Dhurandhar 2 was copied from his original script without consent or credit. While litigation status remains unclear, such claims typically involve issues of idea-expression dichotomy and proof of access. Indian courts have consistently held that mere similarity of ideas is insufficient unless substantial copying of expression is demonstrated. If pursued legally, the claimant would need to establish originality and prior creation. The dispute reflects the persistent challenges around protecting scripts in the film industry.
Delhi High Court protects preacher Aniruddhacharya against AI deepfakes and memes
The Delhi High Court granted protection to spiritual preacher Aniruddhacharya, restraining unauthorised use of his persona in AI-generated deepfakes and meme content. The Court recognised that such synthetic media can misrepresent individuals and cause reputational harm at scale. It extended personality rights protection into the evolving domain of AI-generated content. The order signals judicial sensitivity to emerging risks posed by generative technologies. This may form part of a broader jurisprudential trend regulating AI misuse of identity.
Delhi High Court orders takedown of Honey Singh–Badshah song over obscene lyrics
The Court directed streaming platforms to remove Volume 1, a song by Honey Singh and Badshah, citing concerns over obscene and explicit lyrical content. The decision reflects continued judicial oversight over digital content dissemination, particularly where it may violate public morality standards. Platforms were directed to comply with takedown obligations, reinforcing intermediary accountability. The case also highlights the thin line between artistic expression and regulatory intervention. Content creators must increasingly assess legal risks prior to release on digital platforms.
Bombay High Court refuses to restrain Republic TV but cautions against defamatory tone
In a dispute involving coverage of Anil Ambani, the Bombay High Court declined to impose a blanket restriction on Republic TV’s reporting. However, it cautioned the broadcaster against publishing content that crosses into defamatory or sensationalist territory, particularly “below-the-belt” commentary. The order strikes a balance between freedom of the press and protection of individual reputation. It reinforces that media freedom is not absolute and remains subject to reasonable restrictions. The case illustrates judicial preference for calibrated rather than prohibitory remedies.
Centre proposes scrutiny of online news content even without complaints
The Central Government has proposed expanding regulatory oversight to allow scrutiny of online news content suo motu, without requiring a formal complaint. This marks a significant shift from reactive to proactive regulation of digital media. The move has raised concerns about potential overreach and its implications for editorial independence. It also indicates tightening control over digital news intermediaries under evolving IT Rules. If implemented, platforms may face increased compliance and monitoring obligations.
IAMAI flags overreach in NHRC notice to MeitY on AI and data protection issues
The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has raised concerns over an NHRC notice to MeitY regarding alleged data protection breaches by AI companies. IAMAI argues that the intervention may exceed jurisdictional limits and overlap with the framework under the DPDP Act. The development reflects growing institutional friction around regulation of AI and data governance. Industry bodies are increasingly pushing for clarity in regulatory mandates. The issue highlights the complexity of multi-regulator oversight in emerging tech sectors.
Dish TV challenges DD Free Dish’s regulatory exemption before Kerala High Court
Dish TV has approached the Kerala High Court challenging the regulatory exemptions granted to DD Free Dish, arguing that it creates an uneven playing field in the DTH market. The petitioner contends that differential treatment distorts competition and impacts private operators’ commercial viability. The case raises important questions around state support, public broadcasting mandates, and market fairness. The Court’s ruling may have implications for regulatory parity in the broadcasting sector. It also reflects increasing litigation in telecom and media distribution frameworks.
Ahmedabad Commercial Court restrains Rebel Foods from using “Honest” as prefix
An Ahmedabad commercial court has granted interim relief restraining Rebel Foods from using the prefix “Honest” for its cloud kitchen brand Honest Bowl, in a trademark infringement suit filed by the long-standing restaurant chain Honest. The plaintiff asserted prior use since 1976 along with multiple trademark registrations and substantial goodwill in the mark. The Court, on a prima facie assessment, held that Rebel Foods’ adoption was identical and deceptively similar, likely to cause consumer confusion. It rejected the defence that “Honest” is merely descriptive, noting the manner and context of use indicated imitation. The order reinforces that even dictionary words can acquire distinctiveness through long use and be protected against competing businesses in the same sector.
Taylor Swift sued over “The Life of a Showgirl” trademark dispute
Pop artist Taylor Swift is facing a trademark infringement lawsuit in the United States over her album The Life of a Showgirl, brought by performer Maren Wade, who owns rights in the mark Confessions of a Showgirl. The plaintiff alleges that Swift’s use of a similar title creates a likelihood of confusion, particularly given overlapping audiences in the entertainment space. Notably, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had already refused Swift’s trademark application citing similarity with Wade’s mark, yet the title continued to be used commercially. The suit also raises the concept of “reverse confusion”, where a larger brand overwhelms and dilutes a smaller, prior user’s identity. Relief sought includes injunction against further use and monetary damages. The case is a strong illustration of how even globally dominant artists remain subject to foundational trademark principles of priority and confusion.
- Aditya Dhar initiates legal action against script plagiarism allegations in Dhurandhar: The Revenge
A dispute has emerged around Dhurandhar: The Revenge, with filmmaker Santosh Kumar RS alleging that the film is based on his registered 2023 script and that key narrative elements were copied without authorisation. In response, director Aditya Dhar and his team have initiated legal action and issued a notice, strongly denying the allegations and asserting independent creation of the film. The claimant relies on Screenwriters Association registration and prior pitching history to establish access and originality, while the defence disputes both similarity and ownership claims. The matter is likely to hinge on the classic idea–expression dichotomy, requiring proof of substantial similarity rather than thematic overlap. The case highlights recurring vulnerabilities in script protection within the Indian film industry, particularly where informal pitching precedes formal contractual safeguards. If litigated, it could contribute to evolving jurisprudence on screenplay infringement and evidentiary standards in India.
