Pocket FM Takes Down Audiobook On Mossad After KuKu FM Approaches Delhi High Court Against Copyright Infringement

Pocket FM has removed a book on Israeli intelligence agency Mossad from its platform after Mebigo Labs, which operates the online audio content platform KuKu FM, filed a suit alleging violation of its exclusive copyright in the audio version of the book.

Justice Prathiba M. Singh directed Pocket FM to ensure that the subject audiobook "Mossad: The Greatest Mission of the Israeli Secret Service" is not made available or communicated on its platform in any manner without authorisation or license, during the pendency of the suit or during the term of copyright of the book.

After the parties submitted that they are willing to explore the possibility of an amicable resolution of the disputes, the court referred them to Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre. The court has listed the matter for hearing on February 10, 2023.

Mebigo Labs in the suit said it has entered into a Publisher Assignment Agreement with Manjul Publishing House for the license of the audiobook of the Hindi translation of "Mossad: The Greatest Mission of the Israeli Secret Service" authored by Michael Bar-Zohar and Nissim Mishal.

The plaintiff told the court that Pocket FM has made the audiobook available on its platform without authorisation. 

During the hearing on November 24, the counsel representing Pocket FM told the court that the audiobook was published inadvertently around August 25 "on the bona fide assumption that the book is in the public domain and out of copyright".

Pocket FM also told the court that it is an entity that respects intellectual property and rights of the copyright holders and has previously taken legal actions against third parties including the Plaintiff Kuku FM.

Title: MEBIGO LABS PRIVATE LIMITED vs POCKET FM PRIVATE LIMITED & ANR.