The entertainment business is still under attack from piracy, which compromises the work and intellectual property of content creators and distributors. VK Digital, Distribution Platform Operator (DPO), blatantly broadcast Disney Star Network films on their local channel and platform services without the required authorization in a recent incident that occurred in Tamil Nadu. This flagrant disrespect amounted to a purposeful and illegal exploitation of Disney Star’s content in addition to a violation of their exclusive copyright.
Disney Star firmly responded and moved to protect its intellectual property rights by filing a civil lawsuit in the Madras High Court. The Madras High Court affirmed Disney Star’s claims with an interim decision, marking a significant victory. Disney Star’s allegations were upheld by the court, which also granted an interim order regarding the unlicensed local broadcasts of Disney Star programming.
The court determined that it was a gross violation of the law for DPOs or third parties to whom the DPO had transferred rebroadcast rights to transmit Disney Star content on local channels or platform services without authorization. The court forcefully held VK Digital accountable for the act of content piracy on its platform and local channel. This landmark decision upholds the rights of content creators and distributors to safeguard their intellectual property and sets a strong precedent in the fight against content piracy.
