Akansha Upadhyay
Published on – 07 December 2022 at 19:40 IST
The Delhi High Court issued summons to Telegram users accused of copyright infringement by the India Today Group, days after the messaging app revealed their trademarks and identity details.
“In the light of the particulars of Respondent Nos. 2 to 15 being provided in the aforesaid affidavit filed on behalf of Respondent No. 1, summons be issued to Respondent Nos. 2 to 15 through Respondent No. 2 to 15, subject to the prosecution taking steps. All electronic mode,” Justice Amit Bansal said in the order.
On November 29, Telegram placed on record “identity/basic subscriber information of the defendants in a sealed cover” before the court. The court had directed the parties to keep the information confidential. However, the court “clarified the disclosure that the officers/police have the permission of the Govt.”
Telegram presented additional information before the court on Tuesday. The counsel representing the India Today Group told the court last month that details in respect of all the defendants have not been provided.
“An additional affidavit has been filed on behalf of the defendant no.1/Telegram in compliance with the orders passed by this Court on 18th October, 2022 and 29th November, 2022. The information disclosed in the affidavit has been filed separately in a sealed cover,” Justice Bansal said in the order, while listing the case for hearing on March 20, 2023.
Living Media India Limited, popularly known as India Today Group, had earlier this year filed a permanent injunction against Telegram channels that were allegedly infringing its trademarks and copyrights.
Case Title: Living Media India Ltd. & Anr. V. Telegram FZ LLC & Ors.