Delhi High Court grants relief to Saregama in copyright suit against Movie World

The Delhi High Court recently granted interim relief to Saregama India Limited in a suit filed against Movie World Visual Media Limited after the former alleged that the latter has been using its copyrighted works including songs and musical recordings of various Malayalam movies [Saregama India Limited v. Movie World Visual Media Private Limited & Anr.].Justice Mini Pushkarna granted ex parte ad interim injunction to Saregama India and restrained Movie World Visual Media from using any of the former's copyrighted works including songs/musical recording and literary works that amounts to infringement. "Till the next date of hearing, the defendants, their directors, partners or proprietors, licensees, assignees, officers, servants, agents, representatives, contractors, sister concerns and any other person working for and on behalf of the defendants are restrained from doing any act, including, exploitation/ use of the plaintiff’s copyrighted works, i.e., sound recordings/ songs, details of which are provided in Annexure-A to the present order, along with the literary and musical works, which amounts to infringement of the plaintiff’s copyright in the plaintiff’s copyrighted works", the Court directed in its December 19 order. .Saregama India alleged that Movie World Visual Media has been commercially exploiting its copyrighted sound recordings for the past four decades through various channels, including websites, mobile applications, and OTT platforms.Saregama contended that it is the owner of its copyrighted works and has the exclusive rights to grant the license of the same to various third parties under the Copyright Act.Further, it was contended that the by unlawfully using Saregama's copyrighted works, Movie World Visual Media (defendants) was creating an impression that the rights to these works were held by the original producers of those works or by the defendants themselves. Such an unlawful act implies that no license is required from Saregama for such exploitation and it also encourages others to engage in similar acts of infringement, it was submitted.Further, Saregama stated that the defendants by falsely claiming its rights over Saregarma's copyrighted works, obtained an ex-parte ad interim injunction by a district court in Ernakulam, Kerala restraining the former from using its own copyrighted works.However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the district court in Ernakulam vacated the ex parte ad interim injunction order against Saregama. Subsequently, Saregama filed the present suit in the Delhi High Court seeking to retrain the defendants from using its copyrighted works. .The Court after considering the submissions, granted relief to Saregama by restraining Movie World Visual Media from using the former's copyrighted works till the next date of hearing in the matter."In view of the above circumstances, the plaintiff has demonstrated a prima facie case for grant of injunction and in case no ex-parte ad-interim injunction is granted, the plaintiff will suffer an irreparable loss. Further, the balance of convenience also lies in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendants," the Court opined.The matter will be heard next on May 13, 2025..Advocates Ankur Sangal, Ankit Arvind, Shashwat Rakshit and Amira Dhawan appeared for Saregama India Limited. .[Read Order]