Bignet Solutions LLP filed a suit seeking declaration that 15 specific pre-1965 sound recordings were in the public domain and no licence from Novex Communications Pvt. Ltd. was not required for playing them at a private event on 12.10.2025. The venue had insisted on an NOC from Novex, which quoted a fee. On 10.10.2025 the court passed interim orders permitting the event upon undertakings, the event was peacefully held, and only the listed 15 songs were played. Novex clarified that these particular recordings never formed part of its repertoire, that it never asserted rights over pre-1965 recordings whose copyright had expired, and that the quotation was issued because the initial request did not specify release years. Finding that Novex asserted no rights over pre-1965 sound recordings, that the event concluded without interference and the limited cause of action stood satisfied, the court disposed of the suit along with pending applications while rejecting the claim for damages and refund of court fees.
- Novex Communications Pvt. Ltd. does not claim and has never claimed copyright in sound recordings published before 1965 whose term has expired under Section 27 of the Copyright Act, 1957, and no licence fee is payable to it for public performance of such recordings (Paras 6, 6.1, 11 & 12).
Bignet Solutions LLP Vs. Novex Communications Pvt. Ltd. : 21.11.2025 : CS(COMM) 1094/2025 :DHC: Hon'ble Ms. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
[Readers are advised to exercise their own discretion as it may contain errors in perception, interpretation, and presentation]
[Written By: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman, IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney], High Court of Delhi]
