Mechanical — India Copyright Cases
16 decisions indexed
Page 1 of 1 · 16 total
Mr.A.Ruthramoorthy v.Mr.P.Moorthy
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.
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
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.
Lin-O-Matic Graphic Industries v.Trulines Technologies
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.
P.Periyasamy v.M/S.Jaya Jeya Agro Mills
The plaintiff filed civil suits alleging that the defendants infringed his registered copyright concerning the artistic and literary work detailing a precast concrete chimney. The court addressed multiple suits, ultimately dismissing C.S.No.102/2018 as not pressed for against one defendant, while granting relief in C.S.No.96/2018.
Sri.Aswin Naidu v.Amaresh K J
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.
Mody Pumps Inc v.Sovereign Pumping Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
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.
M/s Purva Metal Sections Pvt.Ltd. v.Sri. K. Bhoopathi
The plaintiff, M/s Purva Metal Sections Pvt.Ltd., filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against Sri. K. Bhoopathi, alleging that the defendant was interfering with its lawful business of manufacturing and selling steel tubes (175mm and 180mm OD). The dispute centered on the defendant's claim of exclusive copyright over the drawings/technology used for these specific steel tubes.
Holland Company Lp And Anr. v.S.P. Industries
The plaintiffs claimed ownership and copyright over the industrial drawings of the Automatic Twist Lock (ATL) system, alleging that the defendant copied these drawings to manufacture spare parts for ATL devices used by Indian Railways. The court dismissed the application for interim injunction, finding that the plaintiffs failed to establish a strong prima facie case, particularly given that the drawings were published and available in the public domain.
Holland L.P. v.A.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.
Ipeg Inc. v.Kay Bee Engineers
Ipeg Inc. appealed a trial court order that rejected its suit claiming copyright infringement against Kay Bee Engineers. The plaintiffs asserted ownership over the unique artistic drawings of their 'Loader/Receiver' machine, arguing that the defendants copied these works to manufacture similar products. However, the Gujarat High Court dismissed the appeal, upholding the lower court's decision. The court found that the appellants failed to establish a clear and genuine cause of action, particularly regarding the transfer of copyright ownership.
Holland Company Lp & Anr v.S.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.
M/S. Jagdamba Impex v.M/S. Tristar Products Private Ltd.
M/S. Jagdamba Impex filed appeals challenging a trial court order that restrained them from manufacturing combs using a specific Teeth Cutting Machine, claiming the machine infringed upon their copyrighted industrial drawings. The plaintiff asserted that the drawings were original artistic works protected under the Copyright Act, 1957. However, the Delhi High Court set aside the injunction, holding that the suit was misconceived because it deliberately ignored the binding provision of Section 15(2) of the Copyright Act, which dictates when copyright is lost through industrial application.
Federation Of Industries Of India v.Mr. G. Kesavalu Naidu @ Kesavan
The plaintiffs, representing manufacturers of steel pipes, filed a suit against the defendants who had obtained copyright registrations for drawings of these pipes. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants were using these registrations to threaten and extract money from them. The court ultimately ruled that no valid copyright subsisted in the mere concept or idea of the pipe drawing.
M/S Babbar Wreckers Private Ltd. v.M/S Ashok Leyland Ltd.
M/S Babbar Wreckers Private Ltd. filed suit against M/S Ashok Leyland Ltd., claiming rights over technical specifications and engineering drawings used for manufacturing Light Recovery Vehicles (LRVs). The dispute centered on the alleged unauthorized use of these designs by Ashok Leyland in contracts with the Central Government. While Babbar Wreckers claimed substantial reputation and prior contractual benefits, the court found that the plaintiff failed to establish prima facie copyright ownership over the drawings. Consequently, the court balanced competing interests by directing Ashok Leyland to provide an undertaking for damages and file detailed accounts of profits derived from related government contracts.
Toyotomi Co. Ltd. v.Alfa Therm Ltd.
The plaintiffs sought a permanent injunction against the defendant for infringing their copyright in engineering drawings and manuals related to the KSA-120/OMNI 230 Type - E kerosene heater, and for passing off the defendant's goods as theirs. The court dismissed the application for interim injunction, finding no prima facie case of infringement or passing off.
Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. v.N. Rangaswamy
The appeal was filed by Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. against an interim injunction granted in favor of N. Rangaswamy, who claimed ownership of the copyright in drawings and diagrams related to a specialized locking system for petroleum products. The court dismissed the appeal, directing that the main suit be tried expeditiously to determine the validity of the IP rights.
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