Delhi High Court Issues Summons To ‘People Of India’ Portal In Copyright Infringement Suit By Humans Of Bombay

The Delhi High Court has issued summons in a suit filed by storytelling platform Humans of Bombay against an online portal “People of India” alleging copyright infringement of its content.

Justice Prathiba M Singh also issued notice on Humans of Bombay’s plea seeking interim relief in the suit and listed the matter for hearing on October 11.

The suit alleges that the portal People of India has identical content as that of Humans of Bombay and that large number of images and videos have been replicated and used on its social media platforms. 

Humans of Bombay alleged that People of India has completely replicated its business model, including the stories.

“Let the plaint be registered as a suit. Issue summons to the Defendants through all modes upon filing of Process Fee,” the court said in an order passed on September 18.

Perusing the images posted by Humans of Bombay and People of India, Justice Prathiba M Singh said that prima facie, there was “substantial imitation” in the content and that in some cases, the photograph or images were “identical or imitative.”

On court’s query as to how it would have jurisdiction in the matter, Humans of Bombay’s counsel submitted that a number of subjects who were being interviewed by People of India were based out of Delhi.

“Let an affidavit to this effect be placed on record within one week,” the court said.

The suit seeks an injunction to restrain People of India from infringing Humans of Bombay’s copyrighted works including its content, literary works, films and creative expressions published on its website as well as Instagram handle and YouTube channel.

Advocates Abhishek Malhotra, Shilpa Gamnani and Ishita Goel appeared for the plaintiff.

Case Title: HUMANS OF BOMBAY STORIES PVT. LTD. v. POI SOCIAL MEDIA PVT. LTD. & ANR.

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