The Karnataka High Court has overturned the temporary injunction imposed by the Mysuru Civil Court, and allowed the screening of the Hindi movie ‘Maidaan’ to continue.
The injunction was initially granted due to alleged copyright infringement claims against the movie’s producers, Bayview Projects Private Limited.
The High Court’s decision came after hearing a Writ Petition filed by Boney Kapoor on behalf of Bayview Projects Private Limited challenging the lower court’s order. Senior Counsel Sajjan Poovayya represented the petitioner in the case.
Poovayya argued that the Mysuru Civil Court’s order lacked proper reasoning and violated the principles for granting a temporary injunction as per Order 39 Rule 3 CPC. He emphasized the insufficient evidence presented by the plaintiff, which included only the movie’s trailer released more than 1.5 months before the lawsuit was filed.
Citing the landmark case RG Anand vs M/s Delux Films & others (1978) 4 SCC 118, Poovayya asserted that the lower court’s order contradicted the established principles governing injunctions in copyright disputes. He also highlighted the plaintiff’s failure to produce the movie’s script or the entire movie itself, which was not yet released at the time of the injunction.
The High Court recognized the potential detrimental impact of the temporary injunction on the worldwide theatrical and OTT release of ‘Maidaan,’ especially considering the delays faced by the film due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After considering these arguments, the court stayed the injunction, allowing the screening of ‘Maidaan’ to proceed.
This decision by the Karnataka High Court provides significant relief for the producers and stakeholders involved in the movie’s production and distribution. It underscores the importance of presenting substantial evidence and adhering to legal principles when seeking injunctions in copyright disputes.
