Delhi High Court Upholds Jurisdiction in Zee Entertainment's Copyright Infringement Case Against Mohalla Tech

The court dismisses Mohalla Tech's application for lack of jurisdiction, allowing Zee Entertainment to pursue its copyright claims in Delhi.

In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has asserted its jurisdiction in a copyright infringement case filed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited against Mohalla Tech Private Limited, the owner of popular social media platforms 'ShareChat' and 'Moj'. The court's decision came in response to an application filed by Mohalla Tech, which sought the return of the plaint on the grounds of lack of territorial jurisdiction.

Zee Entertainment accused Mohalla Tech of unauthorized use and exploitation of its copyrighted works on the defendant's platforms. The plaintiff argued that the platforms were accessible in Delhi, thereby granting the court jurisdiction under Section 20(c) of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908. The court concurred, stating that the mere accessibility and interactivity of the platforms within Delhi were sufficient to confer jurisdiction.

The court rejected Mohalla Tech's reliance on exclusive jurisdiction clauses from prior agreements between the parties, noting that the current dispute pertained to statutory rights under the Copyright Act, 1957, and not contractual obligations. The court emphasized that the plaintiff's suit was based on the alleged infringement of its copyright, rather than any breach of prior agreements.

In its judgment, the court underscored that copyright infringement claims could be pursued wherever the infringing content is accessible, thereby supporting the plaintiff's choice to file the suit in Delhi. The court further stated that the accessibility of Mohalla Tech's platforms in Delhi meant that a part of the cause of action arose within its jurisdiction, thus justifying the continuation of the proceedings in Delhi.

The case highlights the complexities of jurisdiction in the digital age, where online platforms can be accessed globally. The ruling reinforces the principle that courts can claim jurisdiction based on the accessibility of online content within their territorial boundaries.

The Delhi High Court's decision allows Zee Entertainment to proceed with its claims against Mohalla Tech, seeking to protect its intellectual property rights and secure a permanent injunction against the alleged infringement of its copyrighted works.

Bottom Line:

Copyright Infringement - Territorial Jurisdiction - Plaintiff alleged unauthorized exploitation of copyrighted works on defendant's platforms accessible in Delhi - Section 20(c) CPC permits suits where cause of action arises wholly or in part - Accessibility of platforms and interactivity within Delhi sufficient to confer jurisdiction.

Statutory provision(s): Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957; Section 20(c) of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited v. Mohalla Tech Private Limited, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2819732