Audio OTT platform Pocket FM has taken legal action against Disney+ Hotstar, filing a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court for alleged copyright infringement related to its audio series ‘Yakshini.’ Pocket FM is seeking an interim injunction against Disney Hotstar’s parent company, Novi Digital Entertainment, requesting the court to order the removal of the trailer for the web series.
The hearing is set before Justice Neena Bansal Krishna. Disney+ Hotstar is expected to respond to the allegations. Pocket FM, in its plea dated June 11, claims it owns the copyright to ‘Yakshini,’ which has been on its platform since May 2021. The company argues that Disney Hotstar’s Telugu web series, also titled ‘Yakshini,’ bears many similarities to its audio series, particularly in the depiction of Yakshini’s entry scene.
Founded in 2018 by Rohan Nayak, Nishanth KS, and Prateek Dixit, Pocket FM offers audio content in various languages and genres, including romance, self-help, and motivation. Earlier this year, the platform raised $103 million (₹857 crore) in a Series D funding round led by Lightspeed, with participation from Stepstone Group, to strengthen its presence in the US and expand to Europe and LATAM markets.
Pocket FM has implemented an AI-led strategy for automation, content curation, production, and distribution. The company is leveraging GenAI to scale its entertainment content offerings and build AI-powered personalised recommendations to enhance the user experience.
Earlier this year, Pocket FM appointed former PhonePe executive Suyog Gothi as its vice president and India country head. Gothi is set to spearhead operations in India, working closely with cofounders Nayak and Nishanth KS. The startup also launched Pocket Novel, an online novel reading platform, to diversify its entertainment segments and formats.
In FY23, Pocket FM’s India arm reported a 56% year-on-year (YoY) reduction in losses to ₹75.7 crore and a 663% YoY increase in operating revenue to ₹129.7 crore. The lawsuit filed by Pocket FM against Disney+ Hotstar underscores the critical issue of copyright protection in the digital content space. Pocket FM alleges that Disney+ Hotstar’s ‘Yakshini’ web series infringes upon its audio series of the same name, seeking an interim injunction to remove the trailer from the platform. This case highlights the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights in an increasingly competitive media landscape, where original content creation is paramount.
Pocket FM’s proactive legal action reflects its commitment to defending its creative assets and ensuring fair competition in the audio streaming industry. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how intellectual property disputes involving digital media are adjudicated in India. It underscores the need for robust copyright enforcement mechanisms to protect content creators and foster innovation in the digital entertainment ecosystem.
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Whether you’re facing copyright infringement allegations or seeking to protect your original creations, Vakilsearch is here to support you. Trust our proven track record in intellectual property law to safeguard your interests and uphold your rights in complex legal proceedings. Partner with Vakilsearch for expert legal counsel and protect what’s rightfully yours in the evolving digital landscape.
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