India: Broadcasting: Film, TV & Radio

Nearly half a century after the 1975-77 Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi's government - a period that witnessed wholesale press censorship and the suspension of fundamental rights - India finds itself confronting a new, more sophisticated threat to media freedom.

The commercial exploitation of fictional characters is hardly new. Recognisable characters from film and television sell everything from toys and apparel to cars and financial services. But when does borrowing a character for an advertisement cross the line from creative reference into infringement?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and with the advent of any major sporting event, the online piracy sites also mushroom around the same time.

In contrast, France has adopted stronger enforcement and integration for sports piracy. Under French law, a dedicated regulatory authority called the Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique (ARCOM) coordinates with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and monitors compliance with the French Intellectual Property Code and the anti-piracy reforms (ARCOM: French regulator’s ongoing campaigns against piracy, both technical and informational, 2026).

Surrogate advertising is often treated as a "marketing workaround". In reality, it is better understood as a legal and commercial risk management exercise - where one creative decision, one brand extension launch, or one influencer post can potentially trigger regulatory scrutiny, reputational damage, and litigation exposure.

If Budget speeches were films, Budget 20261 would be the director's cut — fewer special effects, tighter editing, and a clearer narrative. Without resorting to sweeping policy overhauls...

In today's time, where social media and the internet have taken over forms of communication, the line between inspiration and plagiarism is becoming very thin.

The controversy surrounding Eros International's re-release of the 2013 film "Raanjhanaa" with an AI-generated alternate ending highlights a significant conflict under Indian Intellectual Property Law.

It is an absolute delight when our favourite classics hit the big screen again. One of our 2013 favourites and a masterpiece, Raanjhanaa was re-released on August 1, 2025.