Copyright Cases

152 decisions across India

India 152

Page 1 of 6

copyright interim order · Mar 20, 2026

Tv Today Network Limited v.News Laundry Media Private Limited

Delhi High Court · FAO(OS) (COMM) 268/2022 and FAO(OS) (COMM) 303/2022

Tv Today Network Limited (Plaintiff) filed a suit alleging defamation, disparagement, and copyright infringement against News Laundry Media Private Limited (Defendant). The dispute centered on derogatory content aired by the Defendant. The court found that commercial disparagement was made out and granted an interim order directing the removal of specific defamatory remarks.
copyright interim order · Dec 26, 2025

Shilpa Shetty Kundra v.Getoutlive.in & Ors.

Bombay High Court · IAL-38469 OF 2025

Shilpa Shetty Kundra filed an Interim Application alleging that unknown persons used her photographs to generate and circulate obscene, sexually explicit deepfake content created via artificial intelligence. She sought immediate orders to remove all infringing content from online platforms due to the severe damage to her reputation and dignity. The Court passed an interim order directing all defendants to delete the specified URLs and instructing government bodies (MeitY and DoT) to pull down the unlawful content.
copyright defendant favorable · Nov 19, 2025

M/S Metrix Research And Analytics Private Limited v.Shri Vineet Kumar Tripathi

Delhi District Court · CS (COMM) 1218/2022

The plaintiff, a market research company, sued its former employee, Shri Vineet Kumar Tripathi, alleging that he misused confidential trade secrets and proprietary methodologies after resigning to benefit his new employer. The court examined the allegations of misappropriation but found the evidence led by the plaintiff to be deficient and conjectural.
copyright interim order · Nov 14, 2025

Dassault Systèmes Solidworks Corporation & Anr. v.Mr. Madhav Arora & Ors.

Delhi High Court - Orders · CS(COMM) 1228/2025

The Plaintiffs, owners of the SOLIDWORKS software copyright, filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against infringement. The court passed several orders, including granting an ex parte ad-interim injunction and allowing various procedural applications related to evidence and service.
copyright interim order · Oct 16, 2025

Dassault Systemes Solidworks Corporation & Anr. v.Mr. Shashikant Sharma & Anr.

Delhi High Court - Orders · CS(COMM) 1124/2025

The Plaintiffs, owners of the SOLIDWORKS software copyright, filed a suit seeking permanent injunction for infringement. The court passed several orders, including granting an ex parte ad-interim injunction and appointing a Local Commissioner to inspect the defendants' systems.
copyright defendant favorable · Jun 10, 2025

Mr.A.Ruthramoorthy v.Mr.P.Moorthy

Madras High Court · OP(CR) No.1 of 2024

Petitioners sought to rectify/expunge a copyright registration (A-146894/2023) for an artistic work photograph of a pump assembly, arguing that Section 15(1) of the Copyright Act renders it invalid because the article was already registered as a design. The court dismissed the petition, concluding that the Pump Assembly itself, not the photograph, was registered as a design and that the photograph did not meet the requirements of a design.
copyright defendant favorable · Jun 10, 2025

Mr.A.Ruthramoorthy, Trading as M/s.Bharani Engineering Work; Mr.R.Logenthiran, Trading as M/s.Bharani Engineering Work v.Mr.P.Moorthy; The Registrar of Copyrights

Madras High Court · OP(CR) No.1 of 2024

Petitioners sought rectification and expungement of a copyright registration (A-146894/2023) for an artistic photograph of a pump assembly. Petitioners argued that since the article was also registered as a design earlier, Section 15(1) of the Copyright Act should apply. However, the Court found that the work registered was the Pump Assembly itself (as a design), not the photograph/artistic work, and therefore dismissed the petition.
copyright defendant favorable · Jun 2, 2025

M/S Applesoft v.The Director General, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing & The Director, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing & The Secretary to Government, Department of Information Technology

Karnataka High Court · RFA No. 1340 of 2019

M/S Applesoft filed a Regular First Appeal challenging a trial court judgment that dismissed its suit seeking permanent injunction and damages. The plaintiff claimed breach of an implied contract by Defendant No. 1 (C-DAC) related to free distribution of Tamil language software. The High Court upheld the dismissal, primarily finding that the Bengaluru Civil Court lacked territorial jurisdiction over the dispute.
copyright plaintiff favorable · Apr 30, 2025

Samriddhi Rice Mill Private Limited v.The Controller General Of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, and Others

Jharkhand High Court · Misc. Appeal No. 316 of 2024

The appeal was filed by Samriddhi Rice Mill Private Limited challenging an order passed by the Deputy Registrar of Copy Rights. The respondent argued that only the Delhi High Court had jurisdiction because the Deputy Registrar's office is in New Delhi, citing amendments to the Copyright Act and judicial precedents on forum shopping. The Jharkhand High Court ultimately held that it possesses the necessary territorial jurisdiction to entertain the appeal.
copyright defendant favorable · Mar 18, 2025

Lin-O-Matic Graphic Industries v.Trulines Technologies

Supreme Court - Daily Orders · Criminal Appeal No. of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(Crl.) No.2341/2020)

Lin-O-Matic Graphic Industries filed a complaint alleging copyright infringement of its drawing of a book binding machine. The appeal challenged the High Court's order which, while not setting aside the initial expert report, directed the Investigating Officer to obtain an additional expert opinion. The Supreme Court set aside this direction, finding it would cause confusion and prejudice.
copyright defendant favorable · Jan 28, 2025

Los Gatos Production Services India LLP v.Wunderbar Films Private Limited

Madras High Court · A. Nos.6748 and 6750 of 2024

The dispute involved applications seeking rejection of plaint and revocation of leave to sue in a copyright infringement matter. The fifth defendant argued lack of territorial jurisdiction and non-compliance with pre-suit mediation. The Court held that since part of the cause of action arose within Chennai, it retained jurisdiction, thus dismissing both applications.
copyright defendant favorable · Jan 28, 2025

Los Gatos Production Services India LLP v.Wunderbar Films Private Limited

Madras High Court · A. Nos.6748 and 6750 of 2024 (in C.S. (Comm. Div.) No.251 of 2024)

The dispute concerns alleged copyright infringement related to 'behind the scenes (BTS)' footage from the film "NAANUM ROWDY DHAAN". The fifth defendant challenged the jurisdiction and maintainability of the suit filed by Los Gatos Production Services India LLP, arguing lack of territorial nexus and non-compliance with pre-suit mediation. The Court held that since part of the cause of action arose in Chennai, it retained territorial jurisdiction, thus dismissing the challenges.
copyright plaintiff favorable · Jun 25, 2024

Fincraft Media And Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. v.Mahesh Vaman Manjrekar & Ors.

Bombay High Court · LPETNL 15478-24

Fincraft Media and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. filed a Leave Petition seeking permission from the Bombay High Court to file a suit concerning copyright infringement related to the film 'Natyasamrat-Asa Nat hone Nahin.' The petitioner argued that while most transactions occurred in Mumbai, some agreements were executed in Hyderabad, potentially challenging the court's territorial jurisdiction.
copyright plaintiff favorable · Jun 18, 2024

Sree Devi Video Corporation v.M/s.Sri Murugan Pictures

Madras High Court · C.S.No.397 of 2005

The plaintiff sued the defendants seeking a declaration that it was the absolute owner of limited video, cable TV, and internet copyrights in certain films, acquired from M/s.Sri Murugan Pictures under an agreement dated 02.12.2000. The suit also sought permanent injunction against infringement by the defendants. The court found that the plaintiff successfully established its case through documentary evidence.
copyright plaintiff favorable · Jun 4, 2024

Dr. Nidhi Gulati v.M/s. Repro Books Limited

Delhi District Court · CS (Comm) No. 87/24

The plaintiff filed a suit seeking permanent injunction and damages against Repro Books Limited (and Amazon Retail India Pvt. Ltd.) for the unauthorized reproduction and sale of her copyrighted Ph.D thesis, "Construction of Childhood in Cinema," as a book. The court found that Defendant No. 1 infringed upon the exclusive rights of the plaintiff by selling a word-for-word copy without permission or royalty.
copyright defendant favorable · Apr 10, 2024

Bhimavaram Community Network Bcn v.M/S Super Cassettes Industries Pvt. Ltd.

Delhi High Court · C.R.P. 130/2024 and CM APPL. 21235/2024

The petitioner challenged the dismissal of its application under Order VII Rule 11 CPC in a commercial suit filed by the respondent. The core dispute involved allegations that the petitioner was infringing the respondent's copyright by removing/overshadowing the 'T-Series' Logo while broadcasting content. The court ultimately dismissed the petition, finding no patent perversity in the Trial Court's decision.
copyright defendant favorable · Feb 21, 2024

Addala Sitamahalakshmi v.State Of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh High Court - Amravati · WRIT PETITION No.13251 of 2011 and CRIMINAL PETITION No.4032 of 2011

The petitioner, a publishing house, challenged G.O.Rt.No.858 dated 09.11.2010, which restricted book printing rights to one entity (Respondent No.4), leading to an inspection and seizure of the petitioner's books. The petitioner argued that their business was being unfairly targeted and that non-literary scientific books are not protected by copyright.
copyright defendant favorable · Jan 25, 2024

R Indira Devi v.G Satyaki

Telangana High Court · C.C.C.A.No.255 of 2018

The appeal challenged a trial court judgment regarding copyright infringement and passing off concerning literary works. The plaintiff claimed ownership based on an assignment letter from his father, while the defendant contested the claims. The High Court upheld the trial court's finding that the suit was not barred by limitation.
copyright defendant favorable · Oct 10, 2023

M.Viyan Aarman v.Etecetra Entertainment

Madras High Court · O.S.A.(CAD) No.48 of 2023

M.Viyan Aarman filed a suit for copyright infringement concerning the title of the film 'Saamaniyan'. The appeal challenged an order rejecting the application for injunction, arguing that the appellant had registered the title and faced breach of trust by the first respondent. However, the court found that the appellant was only alleging infringement qua title, which is not maintainable under existing legal precedents.
copyright plaintiff favorable · Aug 28, 2023

Transformative Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd. v.Pawajot Kaur Baweja & Ors.

Delhi High Court · CS(COMM) 817/2018

The plaintiffs, who sell Ayurveda products, sued former employees (Defendants 1 and 2) for using confidential data, customer databases, marketing material, and copyrighted content to run a competing business under the brand 'Adya Ayurveda'. The core legal issue was whether the suit was maintainable given previous judicial precedents. The Court found that the plaint disclosed sufficient cause of action and ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.
copyright plaintiff favorable · Jun 21, 2023

Mentor Graphics Ireland Ltd. v.Acit, Circle- 2(2)(1), International ...

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal - Delhi · ITA No.527/Del/2021

Mentor Graphics Ireland Ltd. appealed against an assessment order holding that consideration received from supplying/distributing its copyrighted software was chargeable to tax as 'Royalty' under the India-Ireland Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). The Tribunal, following Supreme Court precedents, ruled that payments made for resale through EULAs do not constitute royalty for the use of copyright.
copyright defendant favorable · May 4, 2023

M/S Thind Motion Films Private Limited v.Ishdeep Randhawa and others

Punjab-Haryana High Court · 118 CR No.2780 of 2023

The petitioner challenged an ex-parte ad-interim injunction passed by a Civil Judge (Junior Division), Ludhiana, restraining defendants from releasing the film 'Jodi Teri Meri.' The High Court observed that the suit was fundamentally flawed due to jurisdictional error, as claims based on the Copyright Act should have been filed in the District Court. Consequently, the court declined to exercise its jurisdiction under Article 227.
copyright remanded · Mar 28, 2023

M/s. Symphony Recording Co. v.Dr.K.Shobana

Madras High Court · OSA.Nos.136 to 138 of 2020

The appellant (M/s. Symphony Recording Co.) appealed an order that granted interim injunctions to the respondent (Dr. K. Shobana), alleging infringement of her copyright in sound recordings ('Kanda Sashti Kavacham' and 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'). The core dispute revolved around whether agreements signed by Dr. Shobana while she was a minor were valid, and the rights of the performer under the Copyright Act.
copyright pending · Nov 23, 2022

Hombale Films Llp v.Thaikkudam Bridge

Kerala High Court · OP(C) NO. 2281 OF 2022

Hombale Films LLP, the producer of the film 'Kantara', challenged an order passed by the District Court, Kozhikode. The original suit was filed by Thaikkudam Bridge (a musical band) claiming authorship and copyright over the song 'Navarasam'. The lower court had previously restrained respondents from using the music without permission.
copyright defendant favorable · Oct 29, 2022

Sri.Aswin Naidu v.Amaresh K J

Bangalore District Court · CC No.12935/2014

The complainant, Sri. Aswin Naidu (representing Elehem Technik Private Limited), filed a private complaint alleging that the accused illegally took confidential information and infringed the copyright of their Electro Chemical Deburring machine (Burrgon 25 V 3) in 2007. The case was tried under Section 63 of the Copyright Act, but the court acquitted the accused.
copyright defendant favorable · Aug 24, 2022

M/S. Navneet Education Ltd. v.M/s. Balsam Publishing House Pvt. Ltd.

Delhi District Court · CS (Com.) No. 1874/2019

Navneet Education Ltd. filed a suit seeking permanent and mandatory injunction and damages against Balsam Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., alleging infringement of copyright in its educational materials, specifically 'GRAFALCO Pre-School Numbers (1 to 100)'. The court examined the similarities between the two books but ultimately found that the content lacked originality and was not a substantial copy.
copyright plaintiff favorable · Aug 1, 2022

Csg International Ltd v.Ddit International Taxation Circle 1

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal - Delhi · ITA No. 264/Del/2008

The assessee (Csg International Ltd) appealed against an order taxing revenue earned from supplying software as 'royalty'. The core dispute was whether the payment for using copyrighted software constituted a transfer of copyright rights or merely a license to use a copyrighted article. The Tribunal relied on Supreme Court judgments, concluding that non-exclusive licenses do not attract royalty under DTAAs.
copyright dismissed · Jul 20, 2022

M/s.Five Star Films Pvt. Ltd. v.Karthik Subbaraj.G

Madras High Court · C.S.(Copyright/Patent) No.810 of 2015

M/s.Five Star Films Pvt. Ltd filed a suit seeking declaration of ownership over the copyrights of its film 'Jigardhanda', damages, and permanent injunction against Karthik Subbaraj.G for alleged infringement. The parties subsequently executed a Joint Compromise Memo.
copyright interim order · Apr 27, 2022

Mody Pumps Inc v.Sovereign Pumping Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Bombay High Court · IL-24609 of 2021 in CIPS (L) No.24602 of 2021

The plaintiffs filed an interim application alleging that defendants, former employees, colluded to steal copyrighted engineering drawings and confidential data relating to water pumps. The plaintiffs sought a restraining order against the defendants for manufacturing and marketing identical products. The court granted an interim injunction but stayed its operation for one week.
copyright interim order · Apr 13, 2022

Hulm Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. v.Fantasy Sports Myfab11 Pvt. Ltd.

Delhi High Court - Orders · CS(COMM) 244/2022

The Plaintiffs, developers of the Fantasy Sports Mobile Application 'EXCHANGE22', filed a suit alleging that the Defendants operate a competing application named MYFAB11 which infringes upon their copyrighted works. The court granted an interim injunction restraining the Defendants from using or making available the infringing content and directed them to suspend domain name registration and remove the app.
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