Delhi High Court allows transfer of ANI’s copyright and trademark case against YouTuber Mohak Mangal, citing duplication. Justice Arora questions, “I don’t see the point of two suits with same issue.”
New Delhi: Today, on July 25, in a recent hearing at the Delhi High Court, YouTuber Mohak Mangal sought to transfer a trademark and copyright infringement case filed by news agency ANI Media Pvt. Ltd. from the trial court to another court.
The case was heard by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora.
Senior Advocate Diya Kapur, appearing for Mohak Mangal, argued that the content used by her client on YouTube was protected under the “fair dealing” clause under copyright law.
She pointed out that ANI had filed two different suits against Mohak Mangal – one in the Delhi High Court and another in the District Court – both involving the same trademark issue.
She stated before the court:
“In essence what I said that you have issued copyright strike notices because you know three strike would lead to my channel going down.”
She further argued:
“The issue is that if there is a copyright infringement and was it a legitimate use or not. In both suits that the issue facts evidence everything is the same in both the cases and may lead to conflicting judgments.”
Justice Arora took note of the situation and told ANI’s counsel that filing identical claims in both courts without paying the required court fees in the High Court was unreasonable.
The court also warned that it “may pass orders if needed” if the matter is not clarified.
The judge observed that the pleadings in both cases appear to be identical and said the court is “not convinced” with ANI’s justification for filing two separate suits.
Responding to this, Advocate Sidhant Kumar, appearing for ANI, clarified:
“It has been implied that I am an extortionist for issuing copyright strikes. No one has tried to do that.”
He also explained that only one video was involved in the case pending before the Patiala Court and said:
“There is only one video not before the Patiala Court. I haven’t sought any relief regarding six videos in the High Court. I’ve only mentioned them. Two have been deleted but three are still contesting the suit.”
Justice Arora then questioned the necessity of maintaining two different suits for the same issue, especially if the defendants were the same.
The judge asked:
“If the parties are different the suits are separate. But if the same party keeps infringing repeatedly would you file a new suit every single day?”
Further emphasizing the judicial burden and redundancy, the court added:
“I don’t see the point of two suits with same issue. It is not in the benefit of the appellant, defendant or the judicial system.”
To this, Adv. Sidhant Kumar replied:
“They will anyway be tried separately.”
The Court responded:
“Yes that’s ok.”
Making an emotional appeal, Mohak Mangal’s lawyer told the court:
“I am a small YouTuber I can’t keep on fighting all the cases they keep filing. It’s difficult for me to fight one.”
Considering all arguments, Justice Arora concluded that the plea will be allowed, stating:
“I will allow the petition.”
The final order will be uploaded later, as confirmed by the court.
Case Title:
Mohak Mangal v. ANI Media Pvt. Ltd. & Anr.
Transfer Petition (Civil) No. TR.P.(C.)-116/2025
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