Crucial hearing in Delhi HC on WC audio feed rights issue
India Sports Flashes has alleged that when they approached Prasar Bharati to share the audio content for the World Cup (radio commentary) on a revenue sharing model, they were asked to sell their rights completely to the state body, which they definitely don't want to do.
According to the petition they filed earlier in court, the company alleged - "they (Prasar Bharati) are by using their authority as a state entity, restricting the entry of other private companies to acquire the sub license for the same product by arm twisting the petitioner before hand, so that later, the respondent themselves could further sub license the radio broadcast feed".
The High court sought to hear Prasar Bharati's stand after India Sports filed the petition, but the state-owned agency, according to India Sports Flashes' lawyer, advocate Rajneesh Chopra[6] has not responded yet, after being given 10 days time to reply on April 2.
Speaking to TimesofIndia.com, Rajneesh Chopra sounded quite confident before the hearing listed for April 24 saying, "We have a very strong case because we believe we are covered under the sports act and the moment we are covered under it, Prasar Bharati has to treat us as prescribed by the sports act."
Chopra also said that they will appeal to the court to pronounce the final verdict as the World Cup is just around the corner.
"We would be pressing hard to get the final outcome because the World Cup is near. We would be telling and appealing the Honorable court that this is a matter of great urgency and even of public importance. In case the matter is not settled in time we will not be able to share the feed with Prasar Bharati and in return there will be financial loss and there will be loss of game as nobody will be able to hear the commentary on radio anymore. Certainly the entire World Cup will not be on radio," Chopra said.
He also made it clear that it is mandatory for his client to share the feed with Prasar Bharati under the sports act. And they took this matter to court because, according to them, Prasar Bharati has asked for the complete audio rights and not the feed on a revenue sharing model as per the sports act.
India Sports knocked on the court's door after Prasar Bharati did not reply to their e-mail which was sent in the first week of March this year. The High Court asked Prasar Bharati to respond within 10 days and India Flashes to respond to Prasar Bharati's response within seven days of the State body having responded.
The final outcome of this case will be crucial, because it could affect World Cup audio commentary on radio in India. With the World Cup beginning on May 30, time is running out.
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References
- ^ India Sports Flashes (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ Prasar Bharati (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ Cricket World Cup (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ Delhi High Court (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ World Cup Schedule (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ Rajneesh Chopra (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
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