Plea in Delhi High Court seeking accessibility features for the movies Stree 2 and Auro Mein Kahan Dum Tha on the OTT platform
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act requires the government to ensure that all content available in electronic media is in accessible format.
The Delhi High Court has sought the views of the producers of Stree 2 and Auro Mein Kahan Dum Tha, as well as the OTT platform Amazon, in response to a petition by two visually challenged people demanding the addition of elements to make the films more accessible to them.
In a copyright infringement suit by Castrol, the Bombay High Court orders Gaurav Taneja to takedown video
In a recent development at the Bombay High Court, Castrol India Ltd. won a temporary injunction against YouTuber Gaurav Taneja, concerning an alleged copyright infringement linked to Castrol’s “Castronomy” marketing campaign. The court directed Taneja to take down specific videos he had posted, which purportedly used Castrol’s copyrighted content without permission. The legal battle centers on Taneja’s unauthorized use of video content from a zero-gravity flight experience, an initiative he participated in, under the exclusive arrangement and creative direction of Castrol. Despite being served, Taneja did not appear in court, and the judge granted Castrol’s request for interim relief to prevent further misuse of the copyrighted material.
Read order here.
Bombay High Court accepts Lulu Malls’ assurance of obtaining a license from Phonographic Performance Limited
The Bombay High Court accepted Lulu International Shopping Malls Pvt. Ltd.’s undertaking that it will get a license from Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) before using copyrighted sound recordings at events hosted on its premises. Justice Riyaz Chagla acknowledged the company’s assurances.
PPL filed a commercial lawsuit against Lulu International Shopping Malls in 2022, alleging improper exploitation of its copyrighted songs at events without paying the required license payments. Sharan Jagtiani, PPL’s counsel, sought a restraining order against the mall and its connected properties for copyright infringement.
Read order here.
Plea in Madras High Court seeks censor board for TV programmes, ads
The Madras High Court directed the Centre to file a response and the state on a plea seeking to establish a tiny screen censor board for television programming and commercials. A division bench of Justice M. S. Ramesh and Justice A D Maria Clete sought a response while hearing K K Ramesh’s public interest litigation.
The petitioner argued that the majority of television serials have violent imagery and inappropriate speech. There is a need to regulate television shows and commercials because many youngsters watch them. There is a requirement to create a small screen censor board. Hence, the present plea has been filed.
Read more here
PIL in Punjab and Haryana High Court seeks traffic management, crowd control in relation to the Diljit Dosanjh Concert that was held on December 14
A Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, asking the Chandigarh Administration for a thorough report on traffic management, crowd control, and security measures for Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh’s concert on December 14. The petitioner claims that singer Karan Aujla’s recent concert at the same site caused severe disturbance, including traffic congestion.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on December 13, 2024 allowed Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh to have his concert in Chandigarh on December 14, however asked the organisers to adhere to conditions imposed by the local administration.
Diljit Dosanjh Modifies Lyrics Following Advisory for Chandigarh Concert”
In response to an advisory from the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR), Diljit Dosanjh altered the lyrics of his songs to avoid glorifying alcohol during his performances. This decision followed his Hyderabad concert and was implemented before his subsequent show in Chandigarh. The advisory specifically requested the omission of songs like “Patiala Peg” that promote alcohol consumption. Diljit humorously modified his lyrics, replacing mentions of alcohol with neutral terms, such as ‘Coke’, during his Chandigarh performance, showcasing his compliance with the guidelines aimed at reducing the impact of such content on the audience.
Read more here.
350+ Musicians speak against the Music Labels’ copyright lawsuit against online library Internet Archive
In 2023, major music publishers including as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Capitol, and others sued the Internet Archive for copyright infringement over its Great 78 Project, which streams 78-rpm records from 70 to 120 years old. The music companies claimed that the endeavor was a “massive ongoing violation” of their rights in their pre-1972 sound recordings. The lawsuit claimed that the sound recordings were replicated “without authorization by copying physical records into digital files.”
In January 2024, Internet Archive (IA) moved to dismiss a portion of the case. However, the motion was eventually denied in May by a California federal judge, which ruled that IA must face the allegations.
Calling major music labels’ copyright litigation against online library Internet Archive “unjust,” over 350 musicians signed an open letter urging the labels to withdraw the case.
Former Bombay High Court Judge Justice Gautam Patel highlights the need for legislation to regulate ‘Deepfakes’
Former Bombay High Court Judge Justice Gautam Patel emphasized the necessity for legislation to control ‘Deepfakes’ and the difficulties that may develop in dealing with them. Speaking at LiveLaw’s 5th Shamnad Basheer Memorial Lecture On ‘AI, Trademarks, And Copyright: Emerging Issues’, Justice Patel stated, “New legislations and raising awareness about the subject.
Telangana High Court Grants Interim Bail to Actor Allu Arjun in ‘Pushpa 2’ Stampede Case
The Telangana High Court granted interim bail to actor Allu Arjun in connection with a stampede case during the premiere of “Pushpa 2.” Justice Juvvadi Sridevi ruled that Arjun could not be held prima facie responsible for the incident, as he attended the event after obtaining the necessary permissions. This decision allows him temporary relief while the case is ongoing.
Open AI whistleblower wrote about ‘copyright, fair use’ in his final X post before death
Suchir Balaji, an Indian American, expressed concerns about OpenAI violating copyright laws in an interview prior to his sudden suicide. Balaji worked for OpenAI for four years before leaving because he believed the technology would do more harm than good to society. His main worry was how OpenAI reportedly utilized copyright data, which he discussed in an interview with The New York Times in October.
The tragic suicide of former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji has reignited debate about firms violating copyright laws. This was the biggest concern the 26-year-old Indian American man had before being discovered dead in his San Francisco apartment.
Delhi High Court refuses to entertain a public interest litigation raising allegations of sexual harassment in the film industry
The Delhi High Court refused to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging sexual harassment of women in the Indian film industry. A division bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela stated that a “fishing and roving inquiry” cannot be conducted in the absence of a complaint from an injured party.
Laws in relation to alcohol and tobacco surrogate ads in the pipeline
The Central Consumer Protection Authority of India (CCPA) is drafting draft guidelines on surrogate advertising for products such as alcohol and tobacco, which are not permitted to promote themselves in the media. According to a ‘Mint’ story dated December 9, the CCPA plans to produce recommendations this month after consulting with the liquor sector, consumer groups, and law enforcement authorities.
Read more here.
