Government Releases Draft Telecommunications Rules for Television and Radio Services Under New Telecommunications Act, 2023
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on June 12, 2026 introduced the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026 (“Draft Rules”) to consolidate the guidelines issued for television and radio services under the now replaced Telegraph Act, 1885, within the framework of the newly enacted Telecommunications Act, 2023 (“Act”). The Act was passed by the Parliament in the year 2023 to replace the Telegraph Act of 1885.
The new Draft Rules combine six older, separate guidelines into one single, simplified rulebook. This includes older policies for satellite TV channels, Direct-to-Home satellite television, Headend-in-the-Sky cable network systems, private FM radio, community radio, and Internet Protocol Television.
The main goal of the Draft Rules is to “simplify and harmonize the existing regime while promoting ease of doing business in the television and radio broadcasting sector”, as clarified under the Press Release for the “Draft Telecommunication Rules Related to Television, Radio and Associated Services Published for Public Consultation” of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of June 12, 2026.
The public and industry experts have been given until July 27, 2026, to send in their thoughts and suggestions before these Draft Rules become official.
You can read the press release here.
You can access the rules here.
Delhi High Court Protects StoryTV’s Micro-Drama Content from Rogue Websites and Telegram Channels
The Delhi High Court granted an ad-interim injunction in favor of Greenhorn Wellness Private Limited, the operator of the subscription-based micro-drama platform “StoryTV”, and restrained certain websites and Telegram channels from hosting, streaming, downloading, or otherwise distributing its copyrighted content without authorization. The Court found that StoryTV had established a prima facie case, that the balance of convenience was in its favour, and that it was likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of interim protection.
Greenhorn alleged that the defendant websites reproduced and streamed over 80 of its copyrighted micro-drama works, including by compiling entire seasons into downloadable videos, while also using StoryTV’s trademarks to create a false impression of association.
The Court noted that the defendants actively facilitated access to infringing content, and observed that one defendant operated a Progressive Web App and Telegram channel that encouraged similar infringing activities and demonstrated knowledge of infringement through discussions relating to DMCA takedown notices. Greenhorn asserted ownership of copyright in the works as the first owner under Sections 17(b) and 17(c) of the Copyright Act, 1957, based on work-for-hire arrangements.
Case Title: Greenhorn Wellness Private Limited V. John Doe & Ors.
Citation: CS(COMM) 618/2026
You can read more about it here.
Delhi High Court Observes Instagram Music Library Cannot Prima Facie Be Used for Commercial Purposes
The Delhi High Court referred a copyright dispute between Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited and Zivore Apparel Private Limited, which operates the apparel brand Libas, to mediation after Zivore undertook not to use any music from Zee’s repertoire available in Instagram’s Music Library until the injunction application is finally decided. The dispute arose from allegations that Libas used songs from Zee’s repertoire in Instagram reels promoting its products without authorisation.
While noting that most of the allegedly infringing reels had already been removed, the Court examined Instagram’s Music Guidelines and policy documents and observed that, prima facie, music available through Instagram’s licensed music library is intended for personal, non-commercial use and cannot be used for commercial brand promotion without appropriate licences. The Court found prima facie merit in Zee’s contention that Instagram’s licensing framework did not permit such commercial use, and referred the parties to mediation to explore a commercial resolution of the dispute.
Case Title: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited v. Zivore Apparel Private Limited
Case Number: CS (COMM) 651 / 2026 & IA. 15855/2026
You can read more about it here.
Bengaluru Commercial Court Dismisses Copyright Infringement Suit Against App Developer for Lack of Evidence
Bengaluru Commercial Court dismissed a copyright infringement suit filed by Pathways Foundation against an Indian app developer Arpit Roy, holding that the plaintiff had failed to prove infringement of its copyrighted resources and videos. The Pathways Foundation alleged that Roy copied content from its website and “Baby Milestones App”, removed its logos and watermarks from videos, and used the material in his applications, “Baby Development: Milestones” and “Baby Steps: Baby Development”, for commercial gain.
It sought a permanent injunction and ₹2 crore in punitive damages. Roy contended that his applications merely embedded YouTube URLs rather than hosting videos directly, and pointed out that his YouTube channel had been terminated following a copyright strike and that both applications had already been removed from Apple’s App Store.
The Court noted that the applications had been taken down and found that the plaintiff had not produced satisfactory evidence demonstrating continued infringement thereafter. Consequently, it held that the plaintiff had “utterly failed” to establish copyright infringement and dismissed the suit with costs.
Case Title: Pathways Foundation v. Arpit Roy
Case Number: Com.OS.No.40/2025
You can read more about it here.
Delhi High Court Grants Protection to Acharya Manish’s Personality Rights Against AI-Generated Fake Endorsements
The Delhi High Court granted an ad-interim injunction protecting the personality and publicity rights of Manish Grover after finding a prima facie case that unidentified persons had used artificial intelligence to create fake endorsements of health products by manipulating his voice and videos. The Court observed that the defendants had gone beyond unauthorised use of his personality attributes by employing AI-based voice cloning technology to falsely depict him as endorsing products and services with which he had no association. The suit alleged that genuine video footage of Grover was altered and circulated on Facebook and Instagram to promote third-party products, including herbal remedies and health-related products, without his consent.
Recognising Grover’s established public reputation in the fields of Ayurveda and integrated healthcare, the Court held that his name, image, likeness and voice constituted valuable facets of his personality and publicity rights. Observing that the defendants appeared to be deliberately capitalising on the goodwill, credibility and public trust associated with him, the Court restrained them from using or exploiting his persona or passing off products as being endorsed by him. The Court also directed Meta Platforms to disable or block access to the identified infringing content and permitted the plaintiffs to seek removal of any further infringing content discovered during the pendency of the proceedings.
Case Title: Manish Grover & Anr. v. John Doe & Anr.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 659/2026
You can read more about it here.
Film Industry Seeks Limited Revival of CBFC’s Tatkaal Certification Facility
Following the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s decision to abolish the CBFC’s Tatkaal certification facility, several film industry bodies have urged the Government to reintroduce the mechanism in a limited form for exceptional circumstances. While stakeholders acknowledge concerns regarding misuse of the fast-track process, they contend that an emergency certification route remains necessary where delays arise due to factors beyond a producer’s control, such as court proceedings, post-production delays, certification disputes, or directions from Revising Committees.
The Tatkaal scheme previously allowed producers to obtain expedited certification upon payment of three times the standard examination fee. Industry representatives have proposed a restricted emergency quota system requiring documentary justification and approval from senior CBFC officials, instead of a complete restoration of the earlier framework. The demand follows recent instances where films reportedly received certification shortly before release due to certification-related delays, raising concerns about the absence of an expedited mechanism under the current regime.
You can read more about it here.
