Madras HC Orders Security for Kingdom Screenings
The Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu to protect theatres screening Vijay Devarakonda’s Kingdom, after NTK protests in Madurai and Trichy. Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy ruled that once cleared by the Censor Board, a film cannot be blocked, though peaceful protests with police permission are allowed. The state assured the court it will safeguard theatres and act against disruptions. The court noted that “In a democracy, the creators of a movie have every right to express their views and in this case, it is a fiction, therefore, anything expressed in any movie may be abhorrent and unpalatable to a particular section of the society. Even then, when the censor board cleared the movie for being exhibited in the theatre, no third party can prevent its exhibition or threaten the theatre owners.” (See here)
Govt Sets Up Task Force to Tackle $2.5B Piracy Loss.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has formed a task force to curb piracy, which allegedly costs India’s media and entertainment sector $2.5 billion annually. EY–IAMAI’s Rob Report valued the piracy economy at ₹22,400 crore in 2023, ranking fourth in the industry’s revenues. CII M&E Council chairman Banerjee said leaked films must be removed within a day, and outlined two priorities: building the right framework to scale the sector and preparing for AI’s impact. He also stressed skilling through new institutes like the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies. (See more here)
Supreme Court Admits Cross-Appeals in Google Play Store Case
The Supreme Court recently admitted cross-appeals filed by Google, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), and the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) against a National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) ruling on Google’s Play Store policies. A bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Atul S. Chandurkar listed the matter for hearing in November.
The dispute stems from a 2020 CCI probe that found Google abused its dominance by mandating its Play Billing System and favouring its own payments service. In 2022, the CCI imposed penalties and compliance obligations, some of which the NCLAT upheld while striking down others. A May clarification reinstated key obligations, including restrictions on Google’s use of billing data, which are now under challenge. (See more here)
Exempt data fiduciaries from the DPDP Act for AI training on publicly available data
The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has urged the central government to grant a temporary exemption from certain DPDP Act provisions for data fiduciaries using publicly available data to train AI models. Highlighting ambiguities and practical challenges, the association argues that strict restrictions could burden AI companies—particularly startups—thereby stifling innovation and competition. However, not all IAMAI members share the same view on this proposal. It frames this as a matter of national competitiveness, arguing that India must loosen restrictions on public data to keep up with the US and China. But this perspective misses deeper issues. See Medianama’s sharp reporting for more. (see here)
Shwetha Menon Moves Kerala HC to Quash FIR Ahead of AMMA Elections
Malayalam actress Shwetha Menon has approached the Kerala High Court to quash a criminal case filed against her just days before the AMMA presidential election, where she is a leading contender. The FIR cites Section 67A of the IT Act (obscene electronic content) and Sections 3 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, alleging offences related to prostitution and brothel management. Menon argues the case targets her image to derail her campaign, noting that the films mentioned—Rathinirvedam, Paleri Manikyam, and Kalimannu—were legally certified and publicly released years ago. She seeks to quash the FIR and halt proceedings, with the court’s decision potentially affecting both her candidacy and the AMMA leadership race. (See here)