Srijita Chakraborty
In a copyright infringement civil suit the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has issued summons to the Mumbai based web-series developers to explain the issue. The disputed book is titled “पैंसठ लाख की डकैती” which is translated in English and titled as “The 65 Lakh Heist”.
Mr Surender Mohan Pathak was represented by AOR Anand Mishra, who pleaded for the ad-interim ex-parte injunction on the grounds that the disputed book is 43 years old (first published in 1977; refer petition page 32) intellectual work of the author. This book is recognized by the New York Times Annual Special pick and shares the podium with Eminem, Hong Kong film director War Kar-wai and others (refer to petition page 35). The book has been published by national and international publications and has finished its 11 editions. The defendants have created the caricature of the work in the form of presentation based on the book and created a registration certificate which is challenged in the Court. The author is reported by various newspapers and is also titled Agatha Christie of India “by the pioneer” (refer petition page 41), the grandmaster of Hindi crime fiction “by live mint” (refer petition page 39), King of the crime thriller “by Indian Pioneer” (refer petition page 44), the master of mystery “by The Hindu” (refer petition page 54).
The Court, relying on the submission made by the advocate of the plaintiff issued the summons and directed the defendants to answer the infringement.