Human Artistry Campaign, a new coalition to Ensure AI Doesn’t Replace Artists– This AI music revolution has posed some important existential questions for the art form and music creation. The advancements in AI songwriting software and chatbots like ChatGPT have shown that the AI music revolution is much closer than anticipated. In an effort to ensure that AI does not replace human music creators, some of the biggest advocacy groups in music have launched the Human Artistry Campaign at SXSW in Austin. This campaign is backed by over 40 major music and entertainment organizations, including the Recording Industry Association of America, the Recording Academy, and the National Music Publishers Association. (see here).
Juicy Legal Battle: Calcutta HC orders YouTuber Dhruv Rathee to remove “targeted” Real Fruit Juice reference from the video: Dhruv Rathee’s recent video analysing the health effects of fruit juices has put him in a legal battle with Dabur. Dabur averred that Dhruv specifically disparaged their packaged fruit product ‘Real’ juice. The Calcutta High Court y granted interim relief to the company and directed the YouTuber to remove the offending portions from the video. Justice Ravi Krishan Kapur observed: “Prima facie, at the ad interim stage even though the underlying intent of the impugned video may not be objectionable, in making repeated direct and brazen references to the product Real of the petitioner, the Lakshamanrekha or the Rubicon has been crossed. In my view, the petitioner’s product Real has been specifically targeted, denigrated and discredited in the impugned video.” (read here)
Govt allows single window clearance for film shoots: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is working to simplify the approval process required for international filmmakers to shoot in India, in an effort to attract more film projects. The Film Facilitation Office (FFO) portal is being restructured to streamline the process and create a single window platform for obtaining various permissions. The revamp is being carried out in coordination with state governments and other agencies such as Indian Railways and the Archeological Survey of India. The ministry aims to simplify the procedures and also wants to track the incentives being offered to filmmakers. The FFO was established in 2016 to promote and facilitate foreign film shoots in India, and the government’s ‘Invest India’ initiative is expected to bring in more film projects through its vast network across the country and abroad. (See here)
I&B Minister warns media against narratives that threaten India’s integrity During the valedictory ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Malayalam daily “Mathrubhumi,” Anurag Thakur, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, urged the media fraternity in India to exercise caution and refrain from promoting narratives that pose a threat to the nation’s integrity. He emphasized that unsubstantiated and illogical opinions, whether originating from within the country or abroad, cannot undermine the democratic nature of India. Thakur further stressed that the media should be mindful of giving unintentional or intentional space to such voices and narratives. He referred to the saying that “facts are sacred, and opinion is free.” (see here)
Court dismisses plea seeking stay on release “Adipurush”: The plea sought to halt the release of the period film, which stars Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan, and Kriti Senon, and was submitted by Raj Gaurav, a lawyer. Additional senior civil judge Abhishek Kumar dismissed the suit after Gaurav’s request, as the petitioner had learned that the film’s release was postponed and that the filmmakers were planning to make changes to it. The filmmaker’s senior advocate argued that the CBFC had granted a certificate to the film after examining its content, and therefore, the makers have the right to release it in cinema halls, unless instructed otherwise by a higher authority. However, the plea alleged that the portrayal of Lord Rama and Hanuman wearing leather straps was inaccurate and inappropriate, and that Ravana was depicted incorrectly. The plaintiff further claimed that the teaser/promo video of the film depicted Lord Rama and Hanuman in an unwarranted and inaccurate manner, thereby hurting the religious, cultural, historical, and civilizational sentiments of the plaintiff and other Hindus. (see here)
Delhi High Court Issues Notice On Penguin’s Plea Against Injunction Order On Book About Rana Kapoor: Penguin Random House, a publishing company, has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court against a trial court order that restricted the sale and distribution of a book titled “The Banker Who Crushed His Diamonds: The YES Bank Story” about former Yes Bank CEO Rana Kapoor. The trial court had issued an ex parte ad interim injunction against the book’s publication. The high court has asked Rana to respond to the plea and directed the trial court record be requisitioned. In the plea, Penguin has argued that the book contains fair comments based on multiple newspaper reports about Kapoor and that it does not violate Kapoor’s personality rights. It also states that the freedom of press includes reporting on the private lives of public figures, and those in public life should not be “thin-skinned.” The publishing house has further submitted that the book is in the public interest, and Kapoor had acquiesced to various stories around him, waiving his right to object to the publication of the book. (See here)
