The Delhi High Court has directed WhatsApp to remove groups which are unauthorisedly circulating the online edition of the Dainik Bhaskar and other newspapers.
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The publisher of Dainik Bhaskar and other newspapers has approached the High Court seeking directions to WhatsApp to block certain groups which are allegedly circulating its e-newspapers without authorisation.
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DB Corporations in its suit named 85 groups on WhatsApp and submitted that there might be many other groups and platforms where its e-newspapers have been illegally shared. However, WhatsApp LLC had declined the request to block such groups.
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DB Corp said illegal and unauthorized sharing of e-newspapers, across publications, has “become rampant and is prejudicial to the interests of the publishers”. A number of other newspaper organizations have also approached the court against WhatsApp and Telegram earlier seeking similar relief.
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In an order passed last week, Justice Sanjeev Narula said, “Plaintiff has made out a prima facie case and the balance of convenience also lies in favour of the Plaintiff. Further, an irreparable loss would be caused, in case an ex-parte order of injunction is not granted – restraining the infringing Defendants from illegally circulating and distributing the Plaintiff’s e-newspaper.”
