Hawkins Cookers Ltd. v. Magicook Appliances Co.

Microsoft CorporationvsAshok Azad And Ors.

This case involved Microsoft Corporation, the owner of copyrighted computer software and registered trademarks, suing various computer training institutes for using pirated software. After initial injunctions were granted, the parties reached an amicable settlement which included undertakings by the respondents to cease infringement and legalize their software use. The subsequent petitions filed before the court sought contempt action based on alleged breaches of these undertakings. However, the Delhi High Court dismissed the petitions, ruling that since the undertaking was given only to the plaintiffs (the opposing party) and not directly to the court, it did not constitute a breach actionable under contempt jurisdiction.

Holland Company Lp & AnrvsS.P. Industries

The plaintiffs filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against the defendant, alleging infringement of their copyright over the industrial drawings and designs of 'Automatic Twist Locks' used by Indian Railways. The defendant contested the claim, arguing that engineering drawings are not artistic works under the Copyright Act and that applying for design registration invalidates any existing copyright.

Manya Vejju Alias Mv KasivsSapna Bhog

This appeal before the Bombay High Court concerned an order restraining the appellant, Manya Vejju, from publishing statements alleging copyright infringement against the respondent, Sapna Bhog. The dispute centered on allegations of plagiarism between their respective romance genre literary works. The core legal question was whether the threat of infringement action fell under Section 60 of the Copyright Act, 1957. The High Court found that the trial court's inquiry into the merits of the copyright claim exceeded its remit and consequently quashed the impugned order, remitting the matter back for a fresh determination.

Holland L.P.vsA.D. Electro Stell Co. Pvt. Ltd.

The plaintiffs, owners of patented Automatic Twist Locks (ATLs), filed a suit for permanent injunction alleging infringement of their copyright in the proprietary drawings. The defendant challenged the claim, arguing that the specific design drawing used by the railways had become part of the public domain and was not exclusively owned by the plaintiff.

Bea Systems Inc.vsDeputy Director of Income-tax (International Taxation), Circle 1(1), Bangalore

The dispute concerned whether payments received by M/s. BEA Systems Inc., from its Indian subsidiary for the distribution of 'shrink-wrapped software' constituted royalty, leading to tax deduction at source requirements. The Tribunal upheld the lower authorities' view that the payment was indeed royalty.