Twitter Accounts Of Congress, Bharat Jodo Yatra To Be Blocked Over 'Copyright Violations': Karnataka Court

The court said that the plaintiff would have to suffer if the alleged illegal use of sound records was encouraged even after the prima facie evidence was produced.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' (Source: PTI)

A court in Bengaluru has ordered a temporary blockade of the Twitter handle of Congress and its movement 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', acting in a music copyright case. The court has given this order on a petition filed by MRT Music. Passing the order, the court said that the plaintiff would have to suffer if the alleged illegal use of sound records was encouraged even after the prima facie evidence was produced. This would lead to massive copyright infringement.

A Bengaluru court directs Twitter to temporarily block the accounts of Congress party and Bharat Jodo Yatra for allegedly infringing the statutory copyright owned by MRT Music by illegally using sound records of the film KGF Chapter-2.

(File photo) pic.twitter.com/lLRm0g1a6o

— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2022

"These prima facie materials available before this court at this stage establishes that if same is encouraged plaintiff who is in the business of acquiring cinematography films, songs, music albums etc., will be put to irreparable injury and further same leads to encouraging the piracy at large (sic)," the court noted.

A case was registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi under the Copyright Act. Rahul is on his Bharat Jodo Yatra these days. Several videos were made to be shared on social media to promote the visit. In these, Congress has used the music of superstar Yash's film 'KGF', due to which KGF Chapter 2 fame MRT Music filed a complaint under the Copyright Act.

It is being claimed by the music label that in the marketing videos prepared by the Indian National Congress for the Bharat Jodo Yatra, they have used the songs of the film. However, MRT Music's permission/license was not sought from Congress to do so.

Responding to the court order, Congress said it will take all the legal remedies at its disposal

"We have read on social media about an adverse order from a Bengaluru court against INC & BJY SM handles. We were neither made aware of nor present at court proceedings. No copy of the order has been received. We are pursuing all the legal remedies at our disposal," the Congress said in a tweet.

We have read on social media about an adverse order from a Bengaluru court against INC & BJY SM handles.

We were neither made aware of nor present at court proceedings. No copy of the order has been received.

We are pursuing all the legal remedies at our disposal.

— Congress (@INCIndia) November 7, 2022

Against the three leaders of the party and the Congress under sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 465 (punishment for forgery), 120 sections 403, 465 and 120B r/w section 34 and section 66 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and an FIR has been registered under Section 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957.