N.RAVI Vs. DOORDARSHAN KENDRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The plaintiff has filed the present suit seeking declaration that he is the exclusive copyright holder of Television Telecasting Rights in Tamil film titled 'Elangeswaran' and for injunction restraining the defendants from making any royalty payment to any one except the plaintiff. Plaint Averments:-

(2.) (i). According to the plaintiff, the Tamil film titled 'Elangeswaran' was produced by M/s.Sri Sivakami Productions. The original producer assigned the Television Telecasting Rights in favour of M/s.Sridhar Films on 20/12/1989 under Ex.P2 on receipt of royalty amount of Rs.3,000.00. The said M/s.Sridhar Films inturn assigned television telecasting rights in favour one K.Palani for a consideration of Rs.15,000.00 on 18/5/1995 under Ex.P3. The said K.Palani inturn assigned the rights in favour of one Mrs.K.Indira Devi for a consideration of Rs.30,000.00 on 24/5/1995 under Ex.P4. The plaintiff got assignment of television telecasting rights in the above said film from the said Mrs.K.Indira Devi on 17/3/2011 under Ex.P7 for a consideration of Rs.30,000.00. Thus, the plaintiff claims copyright over the television telecasting rights in the Tamil film 'Elangeswaran'.

(3.) (i). The 1st defendant in it's written statement had stated that the film 'Elangeswaran' was supplied by one N.Govindarajan and the same was telecasted on 20/12/2014 based on the documents furnished by him. The 1st defendant further contended that the original producer of the film M/s.Sivakami Productions had assigned the rights of the film in favour of one M/s Shyamala Movies on 27/9/1990 for a consideration of Rs.95,000.00. The said M/s Shyamala Movies transferred it's right in favour of one V.Balu on 18/7/2011. The said V.Balu assigned the rights in favour of N.Govindarajan on 17/3/2014 and the said N.Govindarajan submitted the film for telecast to the 1 st defendant.