#copyright infringement

The Calcutta High Court issued a permanent injunction, holding that hotels must secure their own copyright licence to broadcast music in guest-room cable systems. Payment of cable subscription fees does not satisfy the statutory licence requirement, exposing hotels and operators to infringement liability.

The Bombay High Court ruled that even when a trademark application is refused, the slavish copying of an original artistic label design triggers copyright infringement and passing off claims. This affirms that visual trade dress with creative expression is independently protected under copyright law, empowering brand owners to combat imitation regardless of trademark status.

Bombay High Court grants ad-interim injunction restraining unauthorized broadcasting of copyrighted sound recordings, holding that prima facie infringement under Section 30 of the Copyright Act, 1957 is established when license is not obtained. The ruling reinforces the exclusive rights of copyright owners over public performance of their works, impacting broadcasters, event organizers, and commercial establishments.

The Supreme Court quashed criminal proceedings for copyright infringement, emphasizing that mere allegations without demonstrable similarity between works fail to establish a prima facie case. The ruling underscores that concealing expert reports finding no resemblance constitutes abuse of process, protecting creators from frivolous litigation.

Bombay HC grants ad-interim injunction under quia timet doctrine where the respondent's past licensing history and written undertaking create a clear apprehension of imminent copyright infringement. The ruling reinforces that undertakings acknowledging exclusive rights, coupled with scheduled events, suffice to establish a credible threat of violation even without actual infringement.

Bombay High Court dismisses a copyright infringement suit after finding the plaintiff concealed a prior assignment deed and MoU, violating the clean hands doctrine. The court imposed ₹10 lakh in costs, reinforcing that litigants cannot seek equitable relief while deliberately suppressing material documents that undermine their legal standing.

Bombay High Court holds that ticketed commercial events like Bollywood Diwali Tamasha do not qualify for exemption under Section 52(1)(za) of the Copyright Act, 1957.