No HC relief for SGPC in Gurbani broadcast case
The Delhi High Court on Friday declined to pass an interim order restraining Galactic Television and Communications from broadcasting or rebroadcasting Gurbani from the Golden Temple, saying the issue required further consideration.
The SGPC and PTC had approached the court alleging that Galactic Television was infringing their copyright by broadcasting Gurbani from the Golden Temple, even with a 10-second delay. SGPC claimed copyright over the broadcast.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani observed prima facie that the Guru Granth Sahib is a literary work and its recitation as a musical performance during a bona fide religious ceremony, without commercialisation, may not constitute copyright infringement.
The court also noted Galactic Television’s contention that its broadcast could be exempt under Sections 52(1)(z)(a) and 52(1)(l) of the Copyright Act. “At this stage,” the Bench said, it was not inclined to grant any ad interim relief.
