The Delhi High Court criticised a YouTuber for missing a hearing in a copyright case involving alleged theft of a teacher’s notes. The Court said he was “playing games with the court” and showed disregard for proceedings.
The All India Patent Officers Association has requested a Supreme Court-monitored CBI investigation into Kaizen Institute’s alleged unauthorized access to Indian Intellectual Property Office (IPO) data. They warn this breach could jeopardize India’s economic interests and potentially expose sensitive patent applications, raising severe allegations of corruption and misuse of authority.
The Supreme Court of India clarified distinctions between copyright and design protection in an important ruling, introducing a two-step test for courts. The judgment addresses when artistic works lose copyright protection due to industrial use, emphasizing the need for case-specific inquiries. It aims to harmonize the intentions of the Copyright and Designs Acts.
The recent controversy surrounding Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court has exposed deep-rooted corruption in the Indian judiciary, challenging the belief that judges cannot be wrong. Despite past allegations and investigations, significant reforms are needed to enhance accountability and restore public trust in the judicial system.
The Trade Marks Registry has withdrawn its approval for registering the trademark ‘CHUTIYARAM’ under Class 30 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. The decision came on Tuesday, just a day after the mark was published in the Trademark Journal and two weeks after it was initially accepted. In an official order published on Tuesday, the Trade Marks Registry admitted that the acceptance of the application was a mistake and that the mark violated legal provisions under Sections 9 and 11 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Today, On 7th February, The Delhi High Court prohibited the unauthorized use of Ratan Tata’s name, picture, and the Tata logo for an award event. The court is also evaluating whether ‘Ratan Tata’ qualifies as a well-known trademark due to his widespread recognition. This decision reinforces legal protections against misusing prominent personalities’ identities. The case highlights the growing importance of trademark rights in protecting individual and brand reputations.
Today, On 17th January, The Delhi High Court restrained DB Dixon Battery from using cricketer Shikhar Dhawan’s images for their promotional activities without authorization. The court ruled that the company’s actions violated Dhawan’s personality and publicity rights. This order emphasizes the importance of consent in using celebrity endorsements. Dhawan sought legal action to protect his image and reputation.
Former Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel discussed AI’s influence on copyright and trademark laws during the 5th Professor Shamnad Basheer Memorial Lecture. He examined issues of fair use, deepfakes, and the nature of AI as a creator or tool in intellectual property, raising critical questions about legal complexities and the originality of AI-generated works.
Today, On 18th October, the Chief Justice of India refused to intervene in a trademark dispute regarding the movie “Jigra.” The court concluded that legal action was unwarranted since the film is in the public domain. The case illustrates complexities in trademark law between different sectors, especially education and entertainment.
The State Bank of India refuses to disclose electoral bond SOPs, citing “commercial confidence” and intellectual property concerns. An advocate’s appeal for transparency has been denied, leading to escalation to the Central Information Commission. This reflects broader concerns about transparency in political funding, highlighting the tension between transparency advocates and institutions prioritizing confidentiality.
