The Bombay High Court on Monday granted a dynamic ad-interim injunction restraining unidentified ‘John Doe’ entities and digital platforms from unauthorisedly recording, hosting, or streaming the forthcoming film Ramayana. [Godpower Media Private Limited v. John Does & Ors]
The interim order was passed in a suit filed by Godpower Media Private Limited apprehending copyright infringement. The Mumbai-based entity holds the copyright and exploitation rights in the film, having acquired all domestic and territorial intellectual property rights.
The suit sought comprehensive protection over the underlying script, characters, footage, lyrics and recordings of the film, which is slated for global theatrical release on November 5.
The Court was informed that the film was produced at an outlay of ₹2,000 crores for Part I—with a combined two-part budget of ₹4,000 crore.
Godpower submitted that despite strict non-disclosure obligations during invite-only preview screenings, leaks of both trailers had been surreptitiously recorded and disseminated on digital networks.
Justice Madhav Jamdar noted,
“Prima facie, the plaintiff (Godpower) has real and well-founded apprehension that the film or parts of it will be recorded and uploaded, streamed, or communicated to the public on various platforms.”
The reliefs granted by the Court encompass a dynamic injunction restraining unknown ‘John Doe’ entities from unauthorisedly disseminating the film. Directions also include ordering ISPs and social media intermediaries to immediately and dynamically block and take down offending links and mirror sites upon written notice.
Counsel representing Google LLC and global social media intermediaries recorded no objection to the order. They assured prompt action upon notification of offending links.
The Court directed Godpower to communicate offending URLs carrying the film to internet service providers and platforms who must immediately take steps to block, disable access to, or take down the infringing content.
The matter will be heard next on December 16.
Godpower Media was represented by Senior Advocate Ashish Kamath with advocates Ameet Naik, Madhu Gadodia instructed by Anand and Naik.