YouTuber Thugesh In Legal Trouble As ANI Sues For Copyright Infringement In Delhi Court: “He Used Our Videos Without Permission”

News agency ANI has filed a lawsuit against YouTuber Thugesh for allegedly using their video clips without permission. The Delhi court has taken note and set the next hearing for September 12.

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NEW DELHI: Popular YouTuber Thugesh, whose real name is Mahesh Rajesh Keshwala, is facing a serious legal issue.

The well-known news agency, Asian News International (ANI), has filed a commercial case against him in a Delhi court, accusing him of using their video content on his YouTube channel ‘Thugesh Unfiltered’ without asking for permission or getting any legal license.

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According to ANI, Thugesh has used their interview videos in at least four different YouTube videos. ANI has approached the court seeking permanent and mandatory orders (injunctions) against Thugesh.

Along with that, they are also asking for damages (money) for copyright infringement, piracy, plagiarism, and unjust enrichment.

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In its official legal complaint, ANI said:

“Said channel has been used by Defendant No. 1 to unlawfully reproduce, publish, and disseminate the Plaintiff’s Works without obtaining any license, authorisation, or consent from the Plaintiff. In several instances, such unauthorised use has involved the reproduction of the Plaintiff’s Works in their entirety. This conduct constitutes a clear infringement of the Plaintiff’s exclusive rights under the Copyright Act.”

Before filing the case, ANI had already tried to stop this by sending copyright strikes to YouTube. But Thugesh had replied by filing counter claims, saying his usage was allowed under ‘fair use’.

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The case was heard briefly by Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala at Patiala House Court, Delhi. The Judge gave instructions that written statements must be submitted.

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The court also noted:

“Defendant No. 1 was served by email on July 14. The time period of 30 days for Defendant No.1 will expire on August 14 and so the matter is adjourned today.”

At the same time, Google, which owns YouTube, also appeared in court. Google’s lawyer said they need more time to verify the claims made by ANI in the lawsuit.

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The court has now set the next hearing date for September 12.

• Advocate Anshika Saxena represented ANI.

• Thugesh was represented by Advocates Nakul Gandhi and Tanish Gupta. Advocate Shruttima Ehersa appeared for Google.

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CASE TITLE:
ANI Media Pvt. Ltd. vs Mahesh Rajesh Keshwala & Anr.

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