Neetu Singh and Another Vs Telegram FZ LLC

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Judgement Date:30.08.2022
Case No. CS (COMM) 282 of 2020
Hon'ble High Court of Delhi
Prathiba M Singh, H.J.
Neetu Singh and Another Vs Telegram FZ LLC

The Plaintiff filed application being I.A. 8461/2020 (u/O XI CPC seeking discovery and directions to Defendant No. 1 to disclose identity of infringing channels).

The Question was that whether Telegram can be directed to disclose the identity of the creators of the infringing channels which unauthorized and illegally disseminate the Plaintiffs’ copyrighted works?

The Defendant No.1 alleged that the data centres and servers of Telegram are located outside India and the direction for disclosure would violate the laws of the jurisdiction where the servers are located. Para 20 (ii)

However Court rejected this argument by observing merely due to the fact that the persons disseminating the copyrighted works, are using the Telegram app and the said app retains its data outside India, on Telegram servers, the jurisdiction of this Court cannot be ousted. Having considered the jurisdictional requirements, the substantive provisions of the Copyright Act. Para 27

The Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, while allowing the application of the Plaintiff , also observed that Singapore is a signatory to the Berne convention and a WTO country as well. Thus, the Plaintiffs’ works would enjoy protection even under the laws of Singapore. Para 45 (iii)

Ajay Amitabh Suman, IPR Advocate, Hon'ble High Court of Delhi.
ajayamitabh7@gmail.com, 9990389539
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