Topic
Copyright law in India protects creators' rights over original works. This page provides latest judgments, case analysis and updates from Indian courts on copyright law.
Delhi HC denied an interim injunction in a copyright suit, holding the plaintiff failed to prove prima facie ownership via disputed wills and certificate, and held that copyright plaintiffs must establish authorship-derived assignment to secure interim relief.
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.
Delhi HC allows plaintiffs to notify ISPs and DoT to block mirror/alphanumeric rogue websites infringing copyright, expanding Dynamic+ injunction scope while retaining judicial oversight. A landmark ruling for online IP enforcement.
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.
The Bombay High Court held that mere website accessibility and overseas sales to Indian customers do not establish transborder reputation for trademark passing off claims, reinforcing that local market recognition is essential. However, interim relief was granted on copyright infringement grounds due to unauthorized use of distinctive logos, clarifying that IP rights can be enforced separately even when reputation claims fail.
The Calcutta High Court has ruled that a duly registered deed of copyright assignment under the Copyright Act, 1957 qualifies for stamp duty exemption under Article 23 of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, rejecting the demand for formal 'entry' as an outdated procedural hurdle. This clarifies the rights of IP assignees and eliminates a major compliance burden for copyright transactions across India.
Delhi High Court rules that a plaint cannot be rejected under Order VII Rule 11(a) CPC if it discloses material facts establishing a passing off cause of action, even if trademark ownership is disputed. The judgment underscores that threshold rejection is unwarranted where allegations of deceptive packaging, continuous trademark use, and goodwill are pleaded.
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.
The Madras High Court ruled that dubbing a film into another language does not confer satellite broadcast rights unless explicitly assigned in the agreement. Producers holding only theatrical rights cannot restrain satellite telecasts, reinforcing the need for clear contractual delineation of rights under the Copyright Act, 1957.