Lock Upp gets bailed out by Telangana High Court; injunction on Kangana Ranaut hosted show set aside

The Telangana High Court on Saturday allowed an appeal by Alt Balaji against an injunction restraining the release of Kangana Ranaut-hosted Lock Upp in a copyright suit filed by Pride Media [Alt Digital Media Entertainment Limited v. Pride Media]..Justice P Sree Sudha decided in favour of Alt Balaji, stating that unless it was clear that the concept of both shows was similar and was copied, it could not be said that there was prejudice to the rights of the respondents..The trial court’s order granting an injunction was challenged by the makers of Lock Upp on the ground that the same was passed without recording reasons or serving notice to them.In its suit, Pride Media claimed that the concept of the show was completely copied from the concept of another show called The Jail, which it was gearing up to create. A copyright for this show was registered in 2018, but the show could not be produced due to the COVID-19 situation, it was claimed.Thus, it sought an interim injunction against Alt Balaji restraining the production company from releasing, exhibiting or publishing Lock Upp on any platform..Alt Balaji contended that Pride Media had approached the trial court at the eleventh hour and obtained an injunction for a copyright that was registered with the Screenwriters Association of India and not the Copyright Board of India.It further submitted that the delay in launching the series would have a massive and irretrievable cascading effect on viewership and that it would suffer a loss of ₹17.5 lakh per day if the show was not aired..On hearing both parties, the Court noted,"Admittedly, the Lockupp reatity show was also registered under Copyright Act on 15.11.2021 and the title was confirmed on 26.11.2021 and 14.02.2022 and thus, the appellant made out prima facie case."Further, since the show Lock Upp was already produced and a huge amount had been spent on marketing the same, the balance of convenience lay in the favour of Alt Balaji, the judge held.Thus, the interim injunction was lifted..Alt Balaji was represented by Senior Advocate S Ravi and Advocate Narendar Naik, who were briefed by a team from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas comprising Partner Anuj Berry along with Principal Associate Aditya Malhotra and Associates Rohit Iyengar and Anuj Loya.Pride Media represented by Senior Advocate Vedula Venkata Ramana and Advocate D Jagadishwar Rao..[Read order]