Technology, Media and Telecom

On March 22, 2024, a 3 (three) judge bench of the Supreme Court passed an order reiterating the importance of freedom of speech and expression, granted by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India, in relation to articles published by media platforms. ...

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs set up the Committee on Digital Competition Law ("Committee") on February 6, 2023 in order to evaluate the need for an ex-ante regulatory mechanism for digital markets in India, reviewing the current provisions of the Competition Act, 2002 ("Competition Act"), assessing whether they are sufficient to deal with challenges that have emerged from the digital economy, and evaluating whether a separate legislation to regulate digital markets is needed. ......

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ("MeitY"), on March 1, 2024, issued an advisory for all intermediaries under the Information Technology Act, 2000 ("IT Act") and Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 ("IT Rules"). ......

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ("MIB") amended and notified new provisions of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 on August 4, 2023. To enable such provisions the MIB has introduced the draft Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 ("Draft Certification Rules") and invited comments on the same....

In a recent Delhi High Court judgement , the Court laid the foundational stone on the jurisprudence of retweeting and whether it amounts to 'publication' for the offence of defamation under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ("IPC"). It was held that every retweet of defamatory imputation would ordinarily amount to 'publication' under Section 499 of the IPC, and it is ultimately for the person so aggrieved to decide as to which retweet caused more harm to his reputation, and inter alia lowered his moral or intellectual character or his credibility among the members of society. ......

On January 31, 2024, a two-judge bench of the Bombay High Court delivered a split decision regarding the constitutional validity of Rule 3(i)(II)(A) and (C) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2023, which amend Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the Information Technology Rules, 2021 (the "Impugned Rule"). ......

Founded in 1913, Stanley, a brand owned by Pacific Market International, LLC, originally began manufacturing products mainly for men, camping and outdoor activities, with its thermos being used by pilots in World War II. Over a century later, Stanley products are most popular amongst a demographic of teenagers and young women. ......

The Telecommunications Act, 2023 (the "Act") received presidential assent on December 24, 2023 after the draft Telecommunications Bill, 2022 (the "Bill") was released for public consultation. When notified of its enforcement, the Act will replace the current telecommunication laws in India, the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and will provide a consolidated modern legal framework for the telecommunication industry in India. ......

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court ("J&K&L Court") in its recent order in Pritam Chand v Dr. Kamal Saini (CRMC No. 758/2017), stated that the press must refrain from publishing content in the newspaper that is manifestly defamatory in nature against an individual. ......