Technology, Media, & Telecommunications

The Firm’s Technology, Media, & Telecommunication (TMT) Practice evolves with changing technology, business, and business models and we are known for our innovative advice on complex issues.

The Firm advises and represents clients on all aspects of TMT practice, ranging from support and documentation on all types of transactions (mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, private equity investments), advising on technology and intellectual property aspects of transactions, local law and regulatory compliance to contentious matters. Our strength lies in understanding the issues faced by corporate decision-makers as many of our lawyers have held key government and in-house positions in the past.

Our clients include technology companies engaged in IT/ITES, fintech & banking, software licensing & protection, media & entertainment, individuals engaged in films, television, FM radio, OTT, content publishing, and telecom companies engaged in basic telephony as well as value-added data services.

Indicative Experience

• Advising ALT Digital Media Entertainment Limited during the course of the reality show ‘LockUpp’ which was streamed live on ALT and MX Player starting 27 February 2022. B&P also advised on the legality of the game show titled ‘LockUpp’ and opined on whether the game being played was a game of chance or game of skill as per the extant laws of India; representation before the Delhi High Court in commercial dispute with MX Player Pte Limited; advise related to terms & conditions, privacy policy and end user license agreement for the OTT Platform ‘ALT’.
• Representing Balaji Motion Pictures with respect to Disputes with co-producers and interest-rights group in contractual disputes and content accuracy, etc; and Arbitration proceedings initiated by Sujoy Ghosh (film director) arising out of Director Agreement for Espionage, entered between Sujoy Ghosh and Balaji Motion Pictures Limited.
• Advising Shemaroo Entertainment Limited with respect to end-user license agreement (EULA), privacy policy and terms of use, and disclaimers for their over-the-top (OTT) platform ‘SHEMAROO WORLD’.
• Advising and representing Sony Pictures Network India Pvt. Limited in various matters including inter alia:, including:
  a) Advise and representation with respect to cases pertaining to patent and copyright infringement in respect of the game show, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’;
  b) Representation in ‘John Doe’ proceedings initiated prior to the release of films such as ‘Piku’, ‘Youngistaan’, `Kya Kool Hai Hum’, ‘Darr @ the Mall’, the Indian Premier League, and India-New Zealand Cricket Series;
  c) Representation before the Bombay High Court with respect to the commercial suit filed by the against Ashiq Usman Productions and certain others for infringement of the client’s copyright, trademark, and broadcasting rights in their mark ‘SONY SIX’ and with respect to the usage of the footage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the movie ‘Argentina Fans Kattoorkadavu’;
  d) Representation before the Bombay High Court with respect to a suit based on allegations of copyright infringement filed against a popular Indian soap opera;
  e) Representation re licensing of copyrights in a movie titled ‘Is it a Murder?’ from the alleged producers of the movie ‘Murder of a Journalist’, and
  f) Representation before the Bombay High Court and Supreme Court of India with respect to challenging an order passed by Competition Commission of India ordering an investigation on the allegations involving the imposition of unfair terms and limiting services to less favoured distribution operators, in violation of the Competition Act, 2002.
• Advising M/s Uprising Science Private Limited who offers the clean beauty brand ‘Minimalist’ re defamatory and infringing posts by a competitor on their social media regarding Minimalist products and defamatory and infringing posts made by influencers on YouTube on the behest of the competitor.