Excel Entertainment seals landmark deal with Universal Music Group
Excel Entertainment, co-founded by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, has entered into a strategic partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG), constituting one of the largest minority-stake investments in the Indian entertainment sector. Pursuant to the arrangement, UMG’s India subsidiary will acquire a 30% equity interest in Excel Entertainment, valuing the company at approximately ₹2,400 crore. As part of the transaction, UMG will obtain global distribution rights for all future original soundtracks produced under Excel’s projects. The parties have also agreed to establish a dedicated Excel music label, with worldwide distribution to be undertaken by UMG. Further, Universal Music Publishing Group has been appointed as Excel’s exclusive music publishing partner. Notably, creative control over content development will continue to vest with the founding promoters.
Read more about it here.
Jana Nayagan Censor Dispute Reaches Supreme Court After Madras High Court Stay
The release of Jana Nayagan, starring Thalapathy Vijay, has been stalled following a rapid sequence of legal developments over its certification by the CBFC. While a single judge of the Madras High Court initially directed the CBFC to grant certification, holding that the referral to a revising committee was unjustified, a Division Bench stayed this order within hours on the ground that the Union Government and the CBFC were not afforded adequate opportunity to be heard. With the stay currently in force and certification remaining blocked, the film’s producers have already approached the Supreme Court of India, seeking urgent intervention to resolve the censor impasse and clear the path for the film’s release.
Thalapathy Vijay’s “Jana Nayagan” faces uncertainty over potential GCC market ban
Thalapathy Vijay’s forthcoming film “Jana Nayagan” is reportedly facing the prospect of a ban in select GCC markets, which could impact its overseas release. The issue is said to be linked to regional regulatory and content sensitivities. This follows delays on the domestic front as well. The uncertainty may have implications for the film’s international distribution strategy.
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Complaint filed against Yash’s toxic teaser
A complaint has been filed against the teaser of Yash’s upcoming film Toxic, alleging that it contains obscene and explicit content accessible without age restrictions. The petitioner has sought intervention from the CBFC, contending that promotional material should also be subject to certification norms. The complaint highlights the absence of age advisories despite public online availability. It calls for regulatory guidelines governing teasers and trailers with adult content.
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X admits lapses, blocks 3,500 posts and deletes 600 accounts to comply with Indian Law
Social media platform X has admitted it made mistakes in moderating content and assured the Indian government it will comply with Indian laws amid regulatory scrutiny. As part of its corrective action, X has blocked around 3,500 posts and deleted over 600 accounts linked to unlawful or obscene material, including content tied to its AI tool Grok. The steps follow directions from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to remove vulgar and explicit content. X has also committed to strengthening safeguards to prevent the spread of such content going forward. Government sources said the platform will not allow obscene imagery and emphasized adherence to statutory obligations.
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Madras High Court: No Interim Takedown of Social Media Posts Without Proof of Commercial Exploitation
The Madras High Court has ruled that social media content cannot be taken down or subject to a blanket interim gag order merely because a celebrity or public figure claims harm to personality rights; in T. Rangaraj v. Joy Crizildaa, the court dismissed pleas by celebrity chef T. Rangaraj seeking to restrain posts, interviews, photos and videos about his personal relationship, holding that prima facie material must show actual commercial exploitation of one’s identity before personality rights can justify injunctive relief, and that absent such proof, fundamental free speech protections under Article 19(1)(a) cannot be curtailed at the interlocutory stage.
Read order here.
Delhi High Court Declares ‘SOCIAL’ a Well-Known Trademark
The Delhi High Court has held that the brand name SOCIAL, used by Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality Pvt Ltd for its restaurant and café services, has acquired distinctiveness, secondary meaning and widespread recognition across India, and accordingly qualifies as a well-known trademark under the Trade Marks Act, 1999; in a suit against a dessert and beverage outlet using the name The Shake Social, the court recognised the likelihood of consumer confusion and granted permanent relief, declaring the mark well-known and protecting it from infringement and dilution.
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Delhi High Court Upholds Patanjali’s Cow Urine Floor Cleaner Trademark
The Delhi High Court dismissed a rectification petition by the Holy Cow Foundation seeking cancellation of Patanjali’s “Patanjali Gonyle Floor Cleaner” trademark, holding that the petitioner failed to prove prior use or a likelihood of confusion with its claimed mark, and that the prominent Patanjali house mark sufficiently distinguishes the respondent’s mark as a source identifier; accordingly, the registration remains valid and subsisting.
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IP Office Warns Against Solicitation of Legal Services by Online Trademark Platforms
The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) has issued a public notice cautioning against illegal advertising and solicitation of legal services by online trademark-related service platforms, naming several such sites and urging stakeholders to engage qualified professionals and avoid dubious practices that could mislead applicants in trademark filings and prosecutions.
Read public notice here
