Bombay High Court Refuses Urgent Hearing To Republic TV In 100 Crore Trademark Infringement Suit Against Telugu Channel RTV News

Observing that Telangana based Rayadu Vision Media Limited was yet use a disputed logo on its channel, the Bombay High Court refused an urgent hearing to ARG Outlier Media Private Limited – owner of Republic TV - in a copyright infringement suit.

Justice Manish Pitale posted the suit filed by ARG to June 5, 2023 with liberty to approach the High Court during the vacation in case of an urgency.

“It is also an admitted position that that as on today, the Defendant has not started using the impugned logo in the context of its satellite news channel,” the court observed.

In the suit filed in March, ARG sought a perpetual injunction against Rayudu Vision Media Ltd from using the trade mark ‘RTV News Network’, logo 'R.', and sought Rs. 100 crore in damages.

ARG claimed that it was incorporated in 2016 and was running three different channels in three languages namely, Republic TV, Republic Bharat and Republic Bangla.

The plea stated that the company had illegally adopted an identical or deceptively similar trademark as used and registered by the plaintiff and was encashing on the “immense goodwill” of the plaintiff.

However, Rayudu claimed that it is one of the leading news networks in the Telugu States with great digital presence and is known for reliable, unbiased news updates in Telugu. It has been running ‘R TV’ with the permission of the I&B Ministry since 2007, it was claimed.

Senior Counsel Ravi Kadam along with Advocate Rashmin Khandekar for Phoenix Legal sought urgent reliefs against Rayadu claiming that they may start using their new logo soon.

However, Senior Counsel Sharan Jagtiani along with Advocate Hiren Kamod claimed that they had filed an application before the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for permission for up-linking and down-linking, using the new logo. However, ARG has objected to the same before the said Ministry and the matter is pending.

As on today, the company has not started using the logo in the context of its satellite news channel, they submitted.

“In view of the above, list the application for consideration of ad-interim relief on 05th June, 2023,” the court said while adjourning the matter.

Case title - ARG Outlier Media Private Limited vs Rayadu Vision Media Limited

Case No. - COMMERCIAL IP SUIT (LODGING) NO. 6543 OF 2023

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