Now Reading: Delhi HC: Gurbani broadcast for religious purpose not copyright infringement
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Delhi HC: Gurbani broadcast for religious purpose not copyright infringement
Delhi HC: Gurbani broadcast for religious purpose not copyright infringement
The Delhi high court on Friday refused to immediately restrain private channel Galactic Television and Communications from live telecasting Gurbani from the Golden Temple, observing that broadcasting it for a genuine religious…
The Story in Brief
The Delhi high court on Friday refused to immediately restrain private channel Galactic Television and Communications from live telecasting Gurbani from the Golden Temple, observing that broadcasting it for a genuine religious purpose without commercial exploitation may not amount to copyright infringement.
Hearing a suit by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani said Gurbani is a literary and musical work, and its use for a bona fide religious ceremony is not infringement. The court issued summons and fixed September 24 for the next hearing, but declined an interim order.
The Indian Opinion
Some will paint this as a blow to the SGPC's authority, while others will frame it as a victory for free dissemination of faith. The court has only made prima facie observations, not a final ruling. Both sides agree there is no commercial exploitation. The real test is whether GTC's broadcast remains strictly non-commercial and whether the SGPC can prove exclusive broadcast reproduction rights under Section 37. A simple question: if Gurbani is truly free for all, who gets to decide who telecasts it?
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
