Kapil Sharma Gets Two Weeks to Reply in Copyright Case

Comedian Kapil Sharma and his production house K9 have been granted two weeks by the Bombay High Court to file their response to a copyright infringement plea. Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), India’s oldest copyright licensing organization, has alleged that the show uses copyrighted sound recordings as background music without proper authorization. Justice Sharmila Deshmukh’s bench heard the case on Wednesday and directed the defendants to submit their reply within the stipulated timeframe.

PPL’s Copyright Allegations

PPL claims that Kapil Sharma and his associates have routinely played copyrighted sound recordings during live recordings of The Great Indian Kapil Show without obtaining the required license. According to the plea, this unauthorized use amounts to systematic copyright infringement rather than occasional violations. The organization has emphasized that such practices undermine the music licensing industry’s integrity and could set a harmful precedent if left unaddressed. PPL is seeking both permanent and temporary injunctions to stop further use of its musical catalogue.

Urgent Court Intervention Sought

PPL has requested immediate judicial intervention, citing that three completed seasons have already aired with alleged infringement. With Season 4 currently in production, the organization warns that continued unauthorized use could further damage its business interests and reputation. The plea seeks appointment of a Court Receiver to seize all devices containing PPL’s sound recordings, including laptops, hard drives, and physical media. Senior advocates representing PPL emphasized that compliance with intellectual property laws is crucial for the entertainment industry’s ethical operation and fair compensation for copyright holders.