TV Today Network Moves Delhi HC Against Newslaundry Seeking 2 Crore Damages For Copyright Infringement, Defamation

TV Today Network, which owns news channel including India Today and Aaj Tak, has filed a suit in the Delhi High Court against news portal Newslaundry seeking damages of Rs. 2 crores for copyright infringement and defamation of its anchors, management and employees.

The suit seeks permanent and mandatory injunction against Newslaundry, it's CEO Abhinandan Sekhri and others alleging that Newslaundry had uploaded various videos on its website including social media platforms thereby infringing TV Today Network's copyright by making "unfair, untrue and disparaging defamatory remarks" about it's anchors as well as the management.

"In these videos and articles, the Defendant Nos. I to 9 consistently denigrate, deprecate, ridicule and derogate the news broadcasts of the Plaintiff's news channels as well as the anchors who have hosted such news broadcasts. These false and defamatory statements published by the said Defendants have lowered the reputation of the Plaintiff in the eyes of the right-thinking members of the society," the suit reads.

According to the suit, it has been alleged that the impugned acts of the Defendants caused defamation to TV Today Network , its news channels, anchors, employees and management and caused prejudice to their commercial reputation and goodwill.

Alleging that the Defendants were "piggy-backing" on the work of the plaintiff, the suit adds:

"The Defendants are using the original cinematograph films and sound recordings of the Plaintiff for the sole purpose of making their own programme more interesting, attractive or enjoyable and are therefore deriving benefit from using the said works at the cost of the Plaintiff's exclusive rights in the same and are therefore infringing upon the copyright of the Plaintiff in the said original cinematograph films and sound recordings."

According to the suit, the unpermitted and unlicensed use of the original cinematograph films and sound recordings of the Plaintiff company by the Defendants is not protected by sec. 52 of the Copyright Act, 1957.

"The said use of the original cinematograph films and sound recordings by the Defendant Nos. I to 9 does not constitute fair dealing as provided under the said provision," it states further.

The suit is also accompanied with an application seeking ex parte ad interim injunction in the matter.

Recently, the High Court disposed of the plea filed by Newslaundry's CEO Abhinandan Sekhri, after taking note of Income Tax Department's assurance that the material seized during survey is in safe custody.

The plea stated that they apprehend their private data, having no incriminating or relevant material for the purposes of Income Tax or any other legal proceedings, may be misused, leaked or illegally released in public domain.

Title: TV Today Network Ltd v. Newslaundry Media Private Ltd & Ors.