The popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has faced several controversies recently. In a major legal development, the Delhi High Court has issued a restraining order against various YouTube channels, websites, and social media accounts. This order prevents them from violating the show’s intellectual property rights.
On August 14, Justice Mini Pushkarna of the Delhi High Court issued the order. It covers unauthorized sales of merchandise, imitations of characters, and the creation of AI-generated images, deepfakes, and animated videos related to the show.
In her ruling, Justice Pushkarna stated, “An order of ex parte ad-interim injunction is passed, thereby restraining the defendants, including the John Doe parties, their owners, partners, employees, and anyone acting on their behalf, from infringing upon the show’s intellectual property.”
The order also clarifies that these parties are forbidden from “hosting, streaming, broadcasting, transmitting, displaying, or sharing any content, goods, or services that infringe on the plaintiff’s copyrighted material or trademarks, including the show’s title, characters, format, and other elements.”
Neela Film Productions, the company behind Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, informed the court that they hold exclusive rights to the show’s title, characters, dialogues, and other intellectual property. They reported that several social media accounts, websites, and channels were violating these rights by selling unauthorized products and creating videos and animations using the show’s characters, including inappropriate content. The court granted the injunction in favor of Neela Film Productions.
Following the court’s decision, the show’s producer, Asit Modi, expressed his gratitude. He told Times Now News, “This order sends a strong message that such infringements will not be tolerated. It not only protects our creative work but also boosts the morale of everyone involved in making the show.”
This legal victory helps protect the intellectual property rights of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, ensuring the show remains safe from unauthorized use and exploitation.
