Singh & Singh is a leading name in copyright law, adept at handling complex disputes across publishing, broadcasting, entertainment, software, and FMCG industries. With deep expertise in prosecution, litigation, advisory, and IP management, we represent domestic and international clients in landmark cases, shaping the Indian legal landscape.
Our multifaceted approach ensures comprehensive support, guiding clients through every stage of copyright registration before the Copyrights Office and throughout the litigation process before the Hon'ble Delhi High Court, as well as various District Courts in order to protect their rights post-registration. Over time, we have built a formidable reputation for delivering innovative, strategic solutions at every stage and on either side of a dispute, be it protecting our clients' copyrights before an authority or relentlessly defending them against any challenge on behest of another party.
Services in value addition on Prosecution: At Singh & Singh, we assist clients throughout the entire process of copyright prosecution till its registration. Our services include filing for copyright registration with the Copyright Office, advising on eligibility, and ownership issues, not to mention representing the client in hearings before the Copyrights Office. We also handle assignments, transfers, and licensing to ensure comprehensive protection for both domestic and international works. Our strategic advisory covers copyright eligibility, portfolio management, and risk assessment, particularly for industries such as FMCGs, education, publishing, technology, music and entertainment. Additionally, we conduct copyright audits and offer guidance with respect to emerging content types, such as AI-generated works and digital assets, ensuring our clients' intellectual property is thoroughly safeguarded.
Litigation: Singh & Singh provides end-to-end litigation support. Our process begins with pre-litigation consultations, case assessment and strategy, and sending cease-and-desist notices or exploring settlement options. We then handle evidence collection to document infringement and proceed to draft and file infringement lawsuits, representing clients before the Hon'ble Delhi High Court as well as various other District Courts and Tribunals, securing interim relief such as injunctions. We also continue to monitor and enforce compliance with court orders, working with authorities like customs and law enforcement to prevent further infringement and ensure our clients' rights are protected.
Singh & Singh also represents a copyright society in a contentious litigation pertaining to the interpretation of the Copyright Act, on whether multiple copyright societies can be registered in relation to one class of works.
Landmark Cases
Some landmark cases where the Firm was involved:
The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of The University of Oxford v. Narendera Publishing House and Ors.
Guide Book Case | 2008 (38)PTC 385 (Del)Singh & Singh represented Narendera Publishing House
This landmark judgment redefined Indian copyright law in education by clarifying originality, applying the merger doctrine to math problems, and expanding fair use for educational purposes, balancing copyright with access to knowledge (GUIDE BOOK CASE).
India Tv Independent News Service Pvt. Ltd. & ORs. vs. Yashraj Films Pvt. Ltd.
Doctrine of De Minimis | 2013 (53)PTC 586 (Del)Singh & Singh represented India TV Independent News Service Pvt. Ltd.
This case highlights that not every use of copyrighted material, however small, will lead to legal action. This case is significant because it gave concrete meaning to the 'minimis' doctrine in Indian copyright law. The de minimis doctrine provides a threshold below which the law does not concern itself with technical infringements.
Eastern Book Company & Ors. v. D.B. Modak & Anr.
Sweat of the brow | 2008 (36) PTC 1 (SC)Singh & Singh represented D.B. Modak
The Hon'ble Supreme Court held that Law report headnotes and editorial notes are copyrightable if they show intellectual effort, not just copying, while judgments themselves are not, balancing publisher protection with access to legal information.