Entertainment Law, Media Law and Telecoms Law

Sound recording law is a combination of copyright, contract, privacy and new technology regulation. The law on sound recordings has undergone a major change due to the evolving music market and technological developments that have accelerated over the years. This article discusses the legal framework of IP rights in sound recordings as provided by the Copyright Act, 1957 with a special focus on ownership, assignment, licensing, and commercial exploitation of IP rights in sound recordings.

The Advent of Artificial intelligence (“AI”) has taken its shape and form in nearly all the sectors, contributing either directly or indirectly to the Indian economy. It has now moved from a topic of revolution to an issue for discussion and more so a reason for restructuring the existing legal regimes. One such sector where AI has settled itself is that of music industry or broadly putting it, the creative industry, amid the growing characterization of the Indian economy as an ‘orange economy,’ driven by creativity, culture, and intellectual property.

The rapid growth of short-form content has transformed social media marketing in India. Platforms such as Instagram have become indispensable tools for brands seeking consumer engagement through reels, influencer campaigns and promotional videos. As per 2025 data, almost 80 percent of marketing professionals integrated Facebook and Instagram into their digital marketing campaigns.

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The rapid growth of short-form content has transformed social media marketing in India. Platforms such as Instagram have become indispensable tools for brands seeking consumer engagement through reels, influencer campaigns and promotional videos. As per 2025 data, almost 80 percent of marketing professionals integrated Facebook and Instagram into their digital marketing campaigns.

By contrast, post 2010, India witnessed explosive digital growth. By the 2014 general elections, political parties were estimated to have spent between Rs. 400 crores and Rs. 500 crores on digital platforms alone, constituting nearly 15% of the total political advertising expenditure.

This June 2026 edition of Game, Set & Match Monthly delivers comprehensive coverage of the latest legal, regulatory, and industry developments shaping the sports and gaming sectors in India and globally. From online gaming regulations and emerging technology impacts to sports law battles and international policy shifts, this newsletter provides strategic insights into the biggest stories transforming these dynamic industries.

A significant legal dispute has emerged between online gaming platforms and India's tax authorities over GST classification and liability. The Directorate General of GST Intelligence issued show cause notices covering 2017-2022, alleging substantial short payment of GST by platforms like Gameskraft by classifying their activities as "betting and gambling" involving actionable claims, which would trigger considerably higher tax obligations.

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, notified in April 2026, establish India's first comprehensive framework for online gaming regulation. This article analyses the key implementation priorities for central and state administrators, including institutional setup, grievance mechanisms, enforcement coordination, and capacity building requirements for effective operationalisation.

On 8 July 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has notified the Telecommunications (Radio Equipment Possession Authorisation) Rules, 2026 (Rules). The Rules operationalise the authorisation requirement under Section 3(1)(c) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (Telecom Act) for possession of radio equipment, while also identifying categories of persons and equipment for which a separate possession authorisation is not required.

The workplace should be a space of professional dignity, free from harassment and exploitation. Recognizing this, India enacted the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 – commonly known as the POSH Act- a landmark legislation that fundamentally reshaped how organizations address sexual misconduct. The law acknowledges that sexual harassment constitutes a grave violation of a woman’s fundamental rights to equality, life, and liberty under the Constitution of India

The transition towards connected mobility received an impetus as on 10 June 2026 when the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released the Use of On-Board Unit for Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything Communication in the 5.9 GHz band (Exemption from Licensing Requirements) Rules 2026 (Rules).