Zee Entertainment Sues JioStar Over Alleged Music Copyright Infringement
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited has initiated legal proceedings against JioStar India before the Delhi High Court alleging unauthorised use of its copyrighted music catalogue across digital platforms and television channels after expiry of licensing agreements.
According to Zee, JioStar continued exploiting its sound recordings despite non-renewal of licensing arrangements entered into with Zee and its predecessor entities. The media company has claimed damages of approximately ₹28.75 crore, with the amount likely to increase if additional infringing instances are identified during adjudication.
The dispute forms part of escalating legal tensions between the two media giants amid India’s rapidly consolidating broadcast and streaming market. The Delhi High Court has reportedly referred the matter to mediation while directing that no further infringement take place during proceedings.
Zara Denies Trademark Infringement in Jo Malone Fragrance Dispute
Zara has denied infringing trademarks owned by The Estée Lauder Companies in a dispute concerning fragrances created in collaboration with perfumer Jo Malone.
Filed before the UK High Court, Zara’s defence argues that references such as “Created by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves” comply with naming principles allegedly outlined by Estée Lauder in 2020. The dispute centres on use of Malone’s personal name in product descriptions and packaging for Zara fragrances developed under her collaboration.
Estée Lauder, which acquired the Jo Malone London brand in 1999, claims Malone agreed not to commercially use the “Jo Malone” name in fragrance marketing. Zara and its UK subsidiary have also denied allegations of passing off and consumer confusion.
Taylor Swift Opposes ‘Showgirl’ Trademark Suit, Calls Confusion Claim “Absurd”
Taylor Swift has opposed a trademark infringement suit filed by Las Vegas performer Maren Wade over Swift’s album The Life of a Showgirl. Wade, who owns the trademark “Confessions of a Showgirl,” alleged that Swift’s branding created consumer confusion and harmed her business.
In filings before a California federal court, Swift’s lawyers argued that comparing a global music album and stadium tour to Wade’s cabaret performances was “absurd” and unlikely to mislead consumers. The defence further alleged that Wade herself attempted to associate her brand with Swift by using the album’s imagery, music and hashtags on social media.
Swift’s team also invoked First Amendment protection for expressive works, arguing that album titles enjoy strong constitutional safeguards against trademark claims.
Shashi Tharoor Moves Delhi High Court Seeking Protection Against AI Misuse
Shashi Tharoor has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality rights against unauthorised use of his name, image, voice and likeness, particularly through AI-generated content and deepfakes. The matter is listed before Justice Mini Pushkarna and includes unknown parties as John Doe defendants.
The suit reflects a growing wave of personality rights litigation in India amid increasing misuse of AI tools for impersonation, fake endorsements and manipulated content. Courts have recently granted similar protections to celebrities, spiritual leaders and public figures including Allu Arjun and Arjun Kapoor.
With no dedicated personality rights legislation in India, courts continue relying on privacy, reputation and intellectual property principles to address digital identity misuse.
James Cameron, Disney Sued Over Alleged Unauthorised Use of Likeness in Avatar
Actress Q’orianka Kilcher has sued filmmaker James Cameron and The Walt Disney Company alleging unauthorised use of her likeness in creating Neytiri from Avatar. Filed before the U.S. District Court in California, the suit claims Cameron used Kilcher’s facial features from a published photograph when she was 14 and incorporated them into production sketches, digital models, and visual effects pipelines without consent.
Kilcher alleges the likeness was subsequently exploited across films, merchandise, posters, and sequels, generating massive commercial profits. The complaint also invokes California’s deepfake pornography law and seeks compensatory and punitive damages, disgorgement of profits, injunctive relief, and corrective disclosures. Cameron allegedly acknowledged Kilcher as an “early inspiration” for Neytiri in a handwritten note and later interview.
Bombay HC Issues John Doe Order in ‘Dhurandhar’ Advertisement Copyright Dispute
The Bombay High Court has disposed of a copyright dispute between Jio Studios and MasterChow Foods Private Limited concerning unauthorised use of a character from Dhurandhar in an advertisement.
Justice Sharmila U. Deshmukh recorded consent terms between the parties and issued a John Doe order directing removal of the advertisement and related behind-the-scenes footage from social media platforms where it had been reshared by unidentified third parties.
MasterChow acknowledged Jio Studios’ intellectual property rights in the film and undertook not to exploit the character without authorisation. A limited licence permitting temporary use of the advertisement until May 7, 2026 was also recognised by the Court.
Delhi HC Restrains YouTubers Over Allegedly Disparaging Reviews of AI+ Smartphones
The Delhi High Court has restrained certain YouTubers from publishing allegedly disparaging content against AI+ Smartphones, observing that malicious product reviews based on unverified claims do not qualify as fair criticism.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela held that the videos prima facie suggested consumers should avoid AI+ products without credible technical evaluation, potentially causing reputational and financial harm.
The suit was filed by NxtQuantum Shift Technologies and its CEO Madhav Sheth, alleging false claims regarding data privacy, Chinese links and copied designs.
The Court issued summons and granted interim protection pending further proceedings.
Zee Sues Nykaa Over Alleged Unauthorised Use of Songs in Instagram Reels
Zee Entertainment has filed a copyright suit before the Delhi High Court against Nykaa alleging unauthorised use of copyrighted songs in Instagram promotional reels.
Zee claimed that its licensing arrangement with Meta permits music use only for non-commercial purposes, whereas Nykaa allegedly used several songs to market products to millions of followers without obtaining separate authorisation.
The media company has sought damages of ₹2 crore and identified 12 allegedly infringing Instagram links in the suit. During the hearing, Nykaa informed the Court that the flagged reels had been removed.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 26.
Delhi HC Restrains Retail Chain From Screening Films Without Cinefil Licence
The Delhi High Court has restrained Hari Om Retail Private Limited from screening films from Cinefil Producers Performance Limited’s repertoire at its Delhi stores without obtaining a valid licence.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed that the retailer appeared to be communicating copyrighted cinematographic works to the public through televisions and digital systems without authorisation, constituting prima facie infringement under the Copyright Act, 1957.
The Court directed suspension of satellite, cable and internet-enabled transmission facilities used for such screenings until a Cinematograph Performance Licence is obtained.
The matter is listed for further hearing in October 2026.
Calcutta HC Upholds IPRS Royalty Rights in Vodafone Caller Tune Dispute
The Calcutta High Court has dismissed appeals filed by Vodafone Idea in a copyright dispute concerning caller tunes and ringtones, holding that telecom operators must obtain separate licences from the Indian Performing Right Society for underlying musical and literary works.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Md Shabbar Rashidi ruled that agreements with Saregama do not extinguish royalty rights of authors and composers protected under the 2012 Copyright Act amendments.
The Court also directed release of nearly ₹30 crore deposited by Vodafone to IPRS, subject to final adjudication.