Delhi High Court Summons PTI Over Copyright Infringement Case By Asian News International

Delhi High Court Summons PTI Over Copyright Infringement Case By Asian News International

The Delhi High Court has summoned news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) following a Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism case filed by rival Asian News International (ANI).

Justice Mini Pushkarna directed PTI to submit its response and scheduled further hearings for August 9.

ANI has approached the High Court, alleging that PTI copied its videos depicting passengers on a Delhi-Darbhanga Spicejet flight enduring nearly an hour without air conditioning during a severe heat wave on June 19, 2024. ANI claims that its reporter accessed both longer and shorter versions of the video, which were promptly shared via ANI's feed and on Twitter. According to ANI, PTI subsequently published identical videos.

ANI seeks damages exceeding ₹2 crores and a permanent injunction to prevent PTI from publishing any original works owned by ANI.

In response, PTI's legal representative stated that PTI would remove the videos within 24 hours.

ANI's counsel emphasized that PTI should issue apologies and clarifications to the news outlets that disseminated the report as PTI's feed, acknowledging ANI's ownership of the content. ANI contends that PTI has appropriated its content without authorization.

Initially considering mediation between the two agencies, the court ultimately issued summons to PTI. Discussions between the parties are expected to proceed regarding the matter.