The Delhi High Court Today (Dec 17) referred a suit filed by Medecins Sans Frontieres/ MSF (Doctors Without Borders) against Dharma Productions over the use of the MSF trademark in a scene in the Alia Bhatt-starrer film Jigra to mediation. After hearing preliminary submissions, Justice Mini Pushkarna referred to case to mediation and ordered the parties to appear before the Mediation Centre on December 24.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court referred a legal dispute between Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, and Dharma Productions to mediation. The case arises from MSF’s objection to the use of its trademark in a scene from the Alia Bhatt-starrer film Jigra.
MSF filed the lawsuit in opposition to a scene in the film where characters impersonate MSF representatives to illegally cross international borders. According to MSF, this unauthorized use of its trademark is “disparaging,” and it “dilutes and tarnishes” the organisation’s trademark.
MSF emphasized that the depiction could harm its credibility by fostering the perception that anyone could impersonate MSF personnel to facilitate unlawful activities.
The organization stated that this portrayal causes “immense damage to its reputation and goodwill,” thereby tarnishing its image as an independent and impartial humanitarian organisation.
After hearing the initial submissions, Justice Mini Pushkarna decided to refer the matter to mediation. The parties involved have been directed to appear before the Mediation Centre on December 24. The court will revisit the matter on January 30, 2025.
The contentious scene in the film portrays prisoners disguising themselves as MSF representatives to escape from the fictitious island of Hanshi Dao and illegally enter Malaysian waters. MSF contends that this scenario involves the unauthorized use of its trademark and negatively impacts its standing as a trusted humanitarian organization.
Advocate Shwetashree Majumdar, representing MSF, argued that the case is maintainable before the Delhi High Court because the movie was screened in a theater in Delhi. Majumdar highlighted the serious repercussions of the scene on MSF’s reputation.
Senior Advocate Nakul Devan appeared on behalf of Dharma Productions.
CASE TITLE:
Medecins Sans Frontieres International V/S Dharma Productions Private Limited And Ors.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Dharma Productions
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