IPRMENTLAW Weekly Highlights (April 27- Might 3, 2026)

IPRMENTLAW Weekly Highlights (April 27- Might 3, 2026)

by | May 3, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News


Public Discover Inviting Objections on Registration of AIPA as Performers’ Society

The Copyright Workplace, Authorities of India, has issued a public discover dated April 30, 2026, inviting objections and feedback from stakeholders on an utility filed by the All India Performers Affiliation (AIPA) searching for registration as a Performers’ Society beneath the Copyright Act. The appliance proposes to manage and shield performers’ rights throughout classes corresponding to actors, singers, musicians, and different performing artists, with a mandate extending globally. Stakeholders have been given a 45-day window from the date of publication to submit objections or feedback to the Registrar of Copyrights.

Learn public discover right here

Delhi Court docket Directs Saregama to Pay ₹5 Lakh to Singer Anamika Over Wrongful Tune Takedown

A Delhi Court docket has directed music big Saregama India Ltd. to pay ₹5 lakh in damages to singer Anamika for the wrongful elimination of her content material from YouTube. The courtroom discovered that Saregama had issued a copyright strike with out enough verification of possession, resulting in skilled and reputational hurt. The choose emphasised that misuse of copyright enforcement mechanisms by massive entities can unfairly stifle unbiased artists who depend on digital platforms for his or her livelihood.

Case Title: Ms. Anamika Sood v. Saregama India Ltd.

Quotation: CS (COMM) – Delhi District Court docket (2024/2025)

Karnataka Excessive Court docket Rejects Plea to Cancel CBFC Certificates for ‘Dhurandhar 2’

The Karnataka Excessive Court docket has dismissed a petition searching for the cancellation of the Central Board of Movie Certification (CBFC) certificates for the movie ‘Dhurandhar 2’. The petitioner had alleged that the movie’s script was a results of plagiarism, nevertheless, the Court docket has dominated that the CBFC’s function is primarily to certify content material for public exhibition primarily based on statutory tips and to not adjudicate copyright infringement or plagiarism disputes. The Court docket noticed that the petitioner ought to search applicable civil cures for copyright infringement as an alternative of difficult the certification.

Case Title: Aditya Dhar v. Santosh Kumar RS & Ors.

Bombay Excessive Court docket Restrains Santosh Kumar from Making Defamatory Plagiarism Claims In opposition to Aditya Dhar

Filmmaker Aditya Dhar has secured an interim injunction from the Bombay Excessive Court docket in opposition to Santosh Kumar, who had repeatedly alleged that Dhar plagiarized the script for the movie Dhurandhar. The Court docket noticed that Kumar’s public statements had been prima facie defamatory and brought on irreparable harm to Dhar’s skilled popularity. The defendant has been restrained from making additional allegations of script theft till the ultimate disposal of the defamation swimsuit.

ANI and PTI Settle INR 2 Crore Copyright Infringement Go well with in Delhi Excessive Court docket

The long-standing copyright authorized battle between information companies ANI and PTI has reached an amicable settlement. ANI had filed a INR 2 crore lawsuit alleging that PTI had unauthorizedly used its video footage. The Delhi Excessive Court docket recorded the Settlement Settlement which was entered into between the events, resulting in the withdrawal of the case.

Case Title: Asian Information Worldwide (ANI) v. Press Belief of India (PTI)

Delhi Excessive Court docket Closes Lawrence Bishnoi’s Plea In opposition to ‘Lawrence of Punjab’ After Centre’s Advisory

The Delhi Excessive Court docket has disposed of a petition filed by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi searching for to remain the discharge of the docuseries Lawrence of Punjab. The courtroom famous that the Union Ministry of Data and Broadcasting had already issued an advisory to the OTT platform Zee5, directing it to not launch the content material because of potential public order dangers. For the reason that collection is presently on maintain following the federal government’s intervention, the courtroom held that the petition had turn out to be infructuous however granted Bishnoi liberty to strategy the courtroom if the standing modified.

Delhi Excessive Court docket Protects Bhuvan Bam’s Persona Rights In opposition to Deepfakes

In a major transfer for digital creators, the Delhi Excessive Court docket handed a john-doe order and has granted an ad-interim injunction in favor of YouTuber Bhuvan Bam to guard his persona and publicity rights. Bam approached the courtroom after deepfake movies and AI-generated content material utilizing his voice and likeness had been used for unauthorized industrial functions. The Court docket ordered the elimination of such content material from varied platforms, stating that celebrities have the precise to regulate the industrial exploitation of their id.

New E-Gaming Regulator Begins Operations with Give attention to Esports Registrations

The newly fashioned self-regulatory physique for India’s e-gaming sector has formally commenced operations, prioritizing the registration and verification of esports platforms. The regulator goals to determine a framework that distinguishes between video games of talent and video games of probability, making certain compliance with client safety and monetary transparency norms. This transfer is anticipated to convey much-needed readability and legitimacy to the quickly rising Indian gaming trade.

Madras Excessive Court docket Directs Separate Financial institution Account for ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’ Launch Proceeds

The Madras Excessive Court docket has ordered the makers of the delayed movie Dhruva Natchathiram to take care of a separate checking account for all revenues generated upon its launch. The Court docket order got here after a listening to regarding the excellent dues payable to collectors and buyers in relation to the movie. The Court docket directed {that a} portion of the theatrical and digital proceeds be deposited into this account to make sure that the claims of the assorted stakeholders are happy in a clear method.

Madras Excessive Court docket Refuses Anticipatory Bail in ‘Jana Nayagan’ Film Leak Case

The Madras Excessive Court docket has rejected an anticipatory bail plea by people accused of leaking a pirated model of the movie Jana Nayagan on-line earlier than its official launch. Emphasizing the severity of digital piracy and its influence on the movie trade’s economic system, the Court docket acknowledged that custodial interrogation may be essential to establish the supply of the leak and the community concerned within the unauthorized distribution.

Aman Gupta Strikes Delhi Excessive Court docket to Defend his Persona Rights

Aman Gupta, co-founder of ‘boAt’ and a well-liked determine on Shark Tank India, has filed a lawsuit within the Delhi Excessive Court docket searching for safety for his persona rights. The plea goals to restrain third events from utilizing his identify, picture, voice, or well-liked “Shark” catchphrases for industrial endorsements with out his consent. This follows a rising pattern of Indian entrepreneurs searching for authorized safeguards in opposition to the unauthorized industrial use of their public personas.

Bombay Excessive Court docket Quashes ‘Rasgulla’ Joke FIR In opposition to Shekhar Suman and Bharti Singh

The Bombay Excessive Court docket has quashed a hate speech FIR registered in opposition to actors Shekhar Suman and Bharti Singh for a joke involving the phrase “Rasgulla” made throughout a comedy present in 2010. The Court docket held that for an offense to be made out beneath Part 295A of the IPC (outraging non secular emotions), there should be “deliberate and malicious intent.” It noticed that humor in a comedy program, even when perceived as insensitive by some, doesn’t robotically equate to a legal try to insult a faith.

Case Title: Aman Gupta v. John Doe & Ors.

IAMAI Raises Alarm Over TRAI’s Proposed Regulation of OTT Platforms

The Web and Cellular Affiliation of India (IAMAI) has flagged issues concerning the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) try to manage Over-The-High (OTT) communication providers like WhatsApp and Telegram. In its submission, IAMAI argued that TRAI’s draft laws on spam and caller identification represent “jurisdictional overreach,” as OTT providers are ruled by the IT Act fairly than telecom legal guidelines. The trade physique warned that forcing OTTs to share proprietary information with telecom suppliers might violate constitutional protections.

Authorities On-line Content material Blocking Orders Have Doubled to 24,000

Knowledge as per information stories signifies that the Indian authorities’s orders to dam on-line content material beneath Part 69A of the IT Act have almost doubled previously 12 months, reaching roughly 24,000 requests. Notably, over 50% of those orders had been directed on the social media platform X (previously Twitter). The surge is attributed to heightened monitoring of content material associated to nationwide safety, public order, and misinformation. This pattern has sparked debates concerning the stability between state regulation and the elemental proper to free speech on digital platforms.

Madras Excessive Court docket Grants Anti-Piracy Injunction to Defend ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’ Forward of Launch

The Madras Excessive Court docket granted an advert interim injunction in favour of Tremendous Cassettes Industries (T-Collection) to restrain web service suppliers and cable operators from any unauthorised broadcast of the unreleased movie Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, noting that such leakage might trigger “irreparable” or “irreversible” industrial hurt, particularly round its theatrical launch window. The Court docket balanced this with issues over the broad influence on intermediaries by directing the producer to indemnify affected events, and accordingly issued the injunction (topic to compliance with procedural necessities) till the following listening to date in June 2026, recognising each the urgency of anti-piracy safety and the necessity to safeguard reputable enterprise pursuits.

‘Hera Pheri’ Rights Dispute Escalates into Prison FIR Over Alleged Dishonest and Extortion

A protracted-standing copyright dispute surrounding the long-lasting Hera Pheri franchise has intensified after producer Firoz Nadiadwala filed an FIR in Mumbai alleging dishonest, defamation, and extortion over the remake rights of the unique Malayalam movie Ramji Rao Talking, on which Hera Pheri is predicated. Nadiadwala claims he lawfully acquired the remake and multi-language rights in 2000, however sure producers have repeatedly contested possession, issued authorized threats, and allegedly demanded cash and a share in earnings whereas spreading deceptive claims to disrupt his rights and initiatives. The dispute, which dates again over twenty years and has resurfaced with recent authorized notices and courtroom proceedings, now raises severe questions round competing copyright claims and will influence future developments like Hera Pheri 3.

Madras Excessive Court docket Grants Pre-Launch Anti-Piracy Injunction to Defend ‘Ek Din’

The Madras Excessive Court docket granted an pressing advert interim injunction in favour of Aamir Khan Productions to restrain web service suppliers and cable operators from any unauthorised broadcast or dissemination of the movie Ek Din forward of its launch, recognising that pre-release piracy might trigger “irreversible harm” to the movie’s industrial worth. Whereas acknowledging the broad scope of such anti-piracy aid and its potential influence on intermediaries, the Court docket balanced pursuits by directing the producer to indemnify affected events, and ordered that the injunction would proceed till the following listening to date in June 2026.

Delhi Excessive Court docket Rejects Plagiarism Claims in ‘Golden Stag’ Dispute, Ends 15-Yr Authorized Battle

The Delhi Excessive Court docket dismissed copyright infringement allegations by creator Shivsundari Bose in opposition to David Davidar, holding that there was no proof to show that his novel The Home of the Blue Mangoes plagiarised her manuscript Golden Stag. The Court docket famous that similarities arising from a shared theme or setting don’t represent plagiarism and located that the variations between the 2 works outweighed any alleged overlap. It additionally noticed that Bose didn’t substantiate key claims, together with proof of submission of her manuscript to the writer, whereas concurrently rejecting Davidar’s defamation declare in opposition to her, concluding that her communications had been made in good religion thereby bringing an finish to a long-running dispute with no aid granted to both aspect.

The Economics of Okay-pop – Half 5: SM Leisure – Music Enterprise Analysis

The Economics of Okay-pop – Half 5: SM Leisure – Music Enterprise Analysis

by | Apr 26, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News


We now have already regarded on the 4 main Okay-pop companies within the earlier weblog posts. Three of them – the so-called “Large Three” – have been based within the mid-Nineteen Nineties. Large Hit Leisure adopted in 2005 and rose to grow to be the market chief due to BTS. Within the subsequent 4 weblog posts, we’ll now look behind the scenes at these companies to realize a greater understanding of the financial system behind Okay-pop. Partly 5 we begin with SM Leisure.

The Economics of Okay-pop – Half 5: SM Leisure

The financial rise of SM Leisure

SM Leisure and its founder Lee Soo-man are the true innovators behind the Okay-pop manufacturing system. SM Leisure solid youngsters modelled on the US boy and woman teams of the Nineteen Nineties, skilled them extensively by means of a rigorous, multi-year trainee programme, and positioned them in the marketplace as a particular model. This idea proved to be an enormous industrial success. As early as 2000, SM Leisure was in a position to go public in South Korea and has been listed on the KOSDAQ know-how index ever since.[1] With contemporary capital, SM was in a position to start its growth within the Southeast Asian area. As early as January 2001, a three way partnership was established with the Japanese indie label Avex Trax, which not solely noticed the primary Okay-pop solo artist, BoA, marketed on the Japanese market, but in addition led to the founding of SM Leisure Japan, the corporate’s first abroad department, through which the Japanese TV manufacturing firm Yoshimoto Kogyo Holdings Co. additionally held a stake.[2]

The beginning of the second technology of Okay-pop artists in 2003 was additionally formed by SM Leisure with acts such because the boy band SHINee and the woman teams Ladies’ Technology and f(x).[3] Essentially the most vital facet of the second technology of Okay-pop was its growth into neighbouring Asian international locations. SM Leisure was already energetic in Japan, and in 2008 China was to comply with swimsuit with the launch of the boy band Tremendous Junior-M, a Mandarin-speaking sub-group of the Korean group Tremendous Junior, who made their debut look on the Chinese language Music Awards in April 2008, performing the music “U” from their debut album “Me”.[4] This established Chinese language-language Okay-pop in China and paved the way in which for additional productions.

This idea of splitting a supergroup into Korean- and Chinese language-speaking sub-groups was additionally utilized in 2012 to the 12-member boy band EXO, which was positioned as EXO-Okay (Okay stands for Korean) and EXO-M (M stands for Mandarin) on the Korean and Chinese language markets, respectively, and have been promoted individually.[5] This progressive advertising idea, developed by SM founder Lee Soo-man, was additionally an enormous industrial success and was copied by different Okay-pop firms.[6]

In 2016, SM Leisure broke new floor with the creation of the boy band NCT, an acronym for Neo Tradition Know-how. The fundamental thought was to create a super-group with an infinite variety of members, which may very well be divided into sub-groups as required and tailored to the wants of various markets. Particularly, NCT U[7] was launched to the general public in April, NCT 127[8] in July, and NCT Dream[9] in August, every with their respective debut releases. The goal of this new technique was to tailor the completely different boy bands to market situations and thus higher attain followers. SM Leisure founder Lee Soo-man developed this new technique himself and offered it to the general public in January 2016 throughout a presentation in Seoul entitled “SMTOWN: New Tradition Know-how 2016”.[10]

New technique and energy struggles behind the scenes

This mirrored SM Leisure’s new strategic route. The corporate was to be energetic not solely in Okay-pop manufacturing, but in addition in all areas of worth creation surrounding the popular culture phenomenon. On 3 February 2023, a video entitled “SM 3.0: Producing Technique Multi ‘Manufacturing Centre/Label’ System” was revealed on YouTube, through which the 2 new CEOs, Lee Sung-soo and Tak Younger-jun, dressed correctly in fits and ties and seated at a desk in entrance of an uncovered brick wall, introduced with a bow that the earlier music manufacturing system, which had been totally tailor-made to SM founder Lee Soo-man, was to get replaced by a brand new system that includes numerous manufacturing groups, some working in-house and others introduced in from exterior.[11] Nonetheless, this multi-production centre, which the 2 CEOs offered, was only one cornerstone of the brand new technique. As well as, additional in-house labels have been to be established and collaboration with exterior labels strengthened internationally. Central to the plan, nevertheless, was the institution of the corporate’s personal music publishing arm, which was meant to bundle music rights extra successfully and monetise them extra efficiently.[12]

Nonetheless, SM Leisure’s strategic reorientation will also be interpreted as a direct assault on Lee Soo-man, who, regardless of stepping down from the board, sought to retain inventive management inside the group in his function as government producer. Though the 2 CEOs highlighted the SM founder’s achievements within the video, the brand new “SM 3.0” technique subtly sidelined him from the inventive manufacturing processes and in the end from the corporate itself.

Lee Soo-man‘s response got here rapidly. On 6 February 2023, simply 5 days after the YouTube video was launched, it was introduced that Hybe Company, SM Leisure’s foremost rival, had acquired a 14.8 per cent stake within the firm for the equal of US $334 million.[13] This primary step in the direction of a hostile takeover had solely been attainable as a result of Lee Soo-man had bought a big portion of his stake in SM to Hybe.[14] Nonetheless, two days earlier, in settlement with SM, South Korea’s largest leisure group, Kakao, had acquired a 9.04 per cent stake in SM for US $172.8 million, thereby turning into the corporate’s second-largest shareholder.[15] Simply someday later, Lee Soo-man filed an injunction in opposition to SM Leisure over the difficulty of latest shares and convertible bonds in favour of Kakao, stating that the deal had been concluded with out his consent as the most important shareholder and was due to this fact “unlawful”.[16]

Hybe’s acquisition triggered a bidding battle that might decide the destiny of SM Leisure. Initially, SM and Kakao have been at a drawback as a result of, on 3 March 2023, a court docket had issued an injunction in opposition to the deal between Kakao and SM.[17] Kakao then went on the offensive and made a proposal to shareholders to buy 35 per cent of the corporate’s shares for US $966 million, thereby rising its stake to 39.87 per cent.[18] Surprisingly, on 24 March 2023, Hybe withdrew from the bidding battle, arguing that it didn’t wish to harm shareholder worth, and introduced its intention to promote its stake in SM to Kakao.[19] On 28 March 2023, Kakao fulfilled its announcement and bought 35 per cent of SM’s shares. Hybe then bought half of its stake in SM to Kakao, retaining an 8.81 per cent stake within the firm,[20] which have been ultimately bought to the Chinese language leisure group Tencent on 30 Might 2025 for round US $180 million.[21] This made Tencent the second influential co-owner of the Okay-pop group, following the e-commerce large Alibaba, which had already acquired a 4 per cent minority stake in SM Leisure in February 2016.[22]

The reason for why Hybe withdrew from the bidding battle is straightforward: by means of this manoeuvre, SM founder Lee Soo-man had secured his reinstatement as head of the A&R division at SM Leisure, thereby regaining inventive management over the manufacturing course of.[23] The 2 younger CEOs who had staged the revolt, nevertheless, have been changed by the chief monetary officer, Jang Cheol-hyuk,[24] which was now tasked with implementing the “SM 3.0” technique. As a primary step, Kreation Music Rights was established in August 2023 as an in-house music publishing division.[25] The day earlier than, a brand new abroad department – SMKEA – was additionally established within the US in collaboration with Kakao.[26] The Okay-pop group thus continued the worldwide growth it had been pursuing for years, which, along with branches in Japan, China and Singapore, now additionally included a department in North America.

The enterprise efficiency of SM Leisure

An evaluation of SM Leisure’s organisational construction reveals that the group will not be a conventional main music label primarily based on the Western mannequin, however reasonably an built-in leisure conglomerate that developed from a Okay-pop artist company. The 2021 annual report signifies that SM Leisure had 37 affiliated firms, six of which have been listed on the inventory alternate. As well as, SM Leisure held shares in an extra 19 firms,[27] numerous content material manufacturing firms (TV, radio, theatre, software program, print, digital actuality, and many others.), in addition to branding and promoting companies, an architectural agency and a property developer, and a enterprise capital agency; it even operates a sequence of comfort shops to monetise the manufacturers of the Okay-pop stars beneath contract. SM Leisure thus recognised the worth of built-in advertising of all sorts of rights at an early stage and can also be represented internationally with branches in Japan, South-East Asia, the USA and Sweden.

Determine 1: Income, value and revenue traits at SM Leisure Group, 2014-2024

Supply: After SM Leisure Enterprise Stories 2019-2021 (translated with DeepL) and SM Leisure quarterly stories 2021-2024 (in English)

SM Leisure’s progress in recent times can also be mirrored within the group’s income efficiency. As proven in fig. 1, there was a pointy rise in income in 2018, primarily because of the acquisition of stakes in several firms, which subsequently led to the formation of the SM Life Design Group. The combination of SM Tradition & Content material Co. Ltd. into the group’s constructions, which was accomplished on the finish of 2017, has additionally boosted turnover.[28] The non permanent decline in gross sales in 2020 was because of the impression of the COVID-19 pandemic, which precipitated revenues from the live performance section specifically to plummet. This made the following rise in gross sales all of the extra dramatic. The live performance enterprise recovered in 2022, however contributed solely KRW 23 billion to whole income of KRW 851 billion. It was not till 2023 and 2024 that the live performance division regained momentum, with income of KRW 77 billion and KRW 123 billion respectively. A pointy improve of 155 per cent between 2021 and 2024 was recorded within the merchandising and licensing enterprise, which in 2024 contributed KRW 169 billion extra to whole income than the live performance section.

Nonetheless, speedy progress and diversification into different sectors have additionally led to a rise in expenditure (see fig. 5.4). Between 2017 and 2024, whole expenditure grew by 155 per cent from KRW 354 billion to KRW 902 billion, primarily as a result of rising value of gross sales, which in 2024 have been 174 per cent larger than in 2021. Advertising and marketing and overhead prices have additionally doubled throughout this era. The primary value drivers listed here are personnel bills. Between 2019 and 2024 alone, the variety of staff in full-time equivalents rose from 493 to 723.[29]

This additionally had an impression on revenue efficiency (see fig. 1). Though revenue from working actions rose to KRW 114 billion in 2023 following a decline within the coronavirus yr of 2020, however in 2024 there was a 23 per cent decline in earnings, which pushed internet revenue all the way down to virtually zero, primarily as a result of losses at related firms, notably at SM Tradition & Content material Co.[30]

This highlights the vulnerability of SM Leisure, which has grown quickly in recent times and is struggling to combine the acquired firms and investments into the group construction. The “SM 3.0” technique talked about earlier is meant to assist with this, with all enterprise divisions being oriented in the direction of the creation of cultural values. The goal is to create a unifying framework for the very various enterprise divisions. As advantageous as SM Leisure’s broad vary of choices is, integrating them is equally troublesome. The corporate’s future success will due to this fact rely closely on whether or not it succeeds in higher integrating the varied elements of the enterprise and focusing them on a standard aim.

Endnotes

[1] Yang, Hong-mo. 2000. Garosu.com and 4 different firms start buying and selling on KOSDAQ on the 27th. Naver Information, 25 April. https://n.information.naver.com/mnews/article/015/0000210471?sid=101. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 28 Jan 2026

[2] Gil, Deok. 2001. SM Leisure “Concentrating on the World Music Album and Music Video Market”. Naver Information, 7 March. https://n.information.naver.com/mnews/article/015/0000345241?sid=102. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 28 Jan 2026

[3] See for instance Atkin. Okay-Pop. p 28

[4] Garcia, Cathy Rose A. 2008. Tremendous Junior-M Debuts in China. The Korea Occasions, 8 April. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/way of life/people-events/20080408/super-junior-m-debuts-in-china. Accessed 28 Jan 2026

[5] Seabrook, John. 2012. Manufacturing unit Ladies. The New Yorker, 1 October. https://www.newyorker.com/journal/2012/10/08/factory-girls-2. Accessed 28 Jan 2026

[6] Ibid.

[7] Bahk, Eun-ji. 2016. SM’s new Okay-pop band NCT U to debut this week. The Korea Occasions, 4 April. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/leisure/shows-dramas/20160404/sms-new-k-pop-band-nct-u-to-debut-this-week. Accessed 28 Jan 2026

[8] Ang, Estee. 2016. (UPDATE) #NCT127: SM Leisure Unveils Members Of New NCT Sub-Unit. Hybe, 4 July. https://hype.my/nct127-sm-entertainment-unveils-members-of-new-nct-sub-unit/. Accessed 28 Jan 2026

[9] Moon Wan-sik. 2016. NCT DREAM to debut their first single “Chewing Gum” on “M Countdown” on the 25th. Star Information, 19 August. https://m.entertain.naver.com/now/article/108/0002548916. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 28 Jan 2026

[10] Jung, Min-kyung. 2016. SM Leisure’s subsequent boy band to have ‘limitless’ members. The Korea Herald, 27 January. https://www.kpopherald.com/article/834265. Accessed 28 Jan 2026

[11] SMTown. 2023. SM 3.0: Producing Technique – Multi ‘Manufacturing Middle/Label’ System. YouTube, 3 February. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4WSs3ebprw&checklist=PL_ndMPzmGNt3v3RUs1K20LOyG8oec472d. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[12] Ibid.

[13] Stassen, Murray. 2023. HYBE has now spent $600m+ in a single week, because it buys 14.8% stake in Okay-Pop rival SM Leisure for $334m. Music Enterprise Worldwide, 10 February. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybe-acquires-14-8-stake-in-k-pop-rival-sm-entertainment-for-334m1/. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[14] Ibid.

[15] Dalugdug, Mandy, 2023. South Korea’s Kakao buys 9.05% stake in Okay-Pop large SM Leisure value $172.8m. Music Enterprise Worldwide, 7 February. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/south-koreas-kakao-buys-9-05-stake-in-k-pop-giant-sm-entertainment-worth-172-8m/. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[16] Herold Muse. 2023. Lee Soo-man threatens authorized motion in opposition to SM Leisure: ‘Kakao’s acquisition of SM shares is illegal’ (official assertion). 7 February. https://www.heraldmuse.com/article/3056777. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[17] Dalugdug, Mandy, 2023. In victory for HYBE, SM Leisure ends Kakao deal as court docket blocks agency from issuing new shares. Music Enterprise Worldwide, 6 March. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/in-victory-for-hybe-sm-entertainment-ends-kakao-deal-as-court-blocks-firm-from-issuing-new-shares/. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[18] Dalugdug, Mandy. 2023. HYBE’s SM Leisure takeover plan falls quick, Kakao launches $960m provide for controlling stake. Music Enterprise Worldwide, 7 March. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybes-sm-entertainment-takeover-plan-falls-short-now-kakao-launches-960m-offer-for-controlling-stake/. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[19] Ingham, Tim. 2023. HYBE pulls out of bid to accumulate 40% stake in SM Leisure: ‘The market has been exhibiting indicators of overheating as a result of our competitors with Kakao.’ Music Enterprise Worldwide, 7 March. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybes-sm-entertainment-takeover-plan-falls-short-now-kakao-launches-960m-offer-for-controlling-stake/. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[20] Yim, Hyunsu. 2023. Kakao’s stake in Okay-pop company SM climbs to 40%, HYBE retains 8.8%. Reuters, 28 March. https://www.reuters.com/enterprise/media-telecom/kakao-reaches-40-stake-k-pop-agency-sm-hybe-keeps-88-2023-03-28/. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[21] Stassen, Murray. 2025. HYBE is promoting its complete stake in Okay-Pop rival SM Leisure to Tencent Music for almost $180m. Music Enterprise Worldwide, 27 Might. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybe-to-sell-entire-stake-in-k-pop-rival-sm-entertainment-to-tencent-music-for-nearly-180m/. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[22] Kang, John. 2016. Why Alibaba Purchased $30M Stake In Okay-Pop Large SM Leisure, Residence To EXO And Ladies’ Technology. Forbes, 11 February. https://www.forbes.com/websites/johnkang/2016/02/11/why-alibaba-bought-30m-stake-in-k-pop-giant-sm-entertainment-home-to-exo-and-girls-generation/#7e130efda556. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[23] Lee, Eun-young. 2023. Former SM CEO Lee Sung-soo, who pledged to step again, returns to C-level place. ChosunBiz, 14 April. https://n.information.naver.com/mnews/article/366/0000893605. Translated with DeepL. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[24] Kwaak, Jeyrup S. 2023. SM Leisure Appoints New CEO & Board as Okay-Pop Large Seems to be to the Future. Billboard, 31 March. https://www.billboard.com/professional/k-pop-label-sm-entertainment-appoints-new-ceo-board/. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[25] Dalugdug, Mandy. 2023. SM Leisure to launch music publishing subsidiary, Kreation Music Rights. Music Enterprise Worldwide, 10 August. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sm-entertainment-to-launch-music-publishing-subsidiary-kreation-music-rights/. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[26] Schneider, Marc. 2023. SM Leisure and Kakao Launch Joint Division in North America. Billboard, 1 August. https://www.billboard.com/professional/sm-entertainment-kakao-north-america-launch-partnership/. Accessed 30 Jan 2026

[27] SM Leisure. 2022. SM Leisure Enterprise Report 2021. pp 328-332 (translated with DeepL)

[28] SM Leisure. 2022. SM Leisure Enterprise Report 2021., p 14 (translated with DeepL)

[29] SM Leisure. 2022. SM Leisure Sustainability Report 2021. p 52 and SM Leisure. 2025. SM Leisure Sustainability Report 2024. p 90

[30] See quarterly stories of SM Leisure for 2024

Thȩ radįo features Jason Mȩwes and Jay & Silent Bob on Five Points, as wȩll as keeρ conflicts and arranging.

Thȩ radįo features Jason Mȩwes and Jay & Silent Bob on Five Points, as wȩll as keeρ conflicts and arranging.

by | Apr 19, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News

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Jason Mewes ‘ return to the scene of a convenience store shop has a certain kind of full-circle writing, but this time he’s having a discussion system disguised as a YouTube set rather than slinging smoking in Clerks. Kyle Meredith, the artist and humorous, was busy running his stand-up show” Diary of α Maȵchild,” woɾking on projects witⱨ Kevin Smith, and launching a neω shσw called Five Points, wheɾe viewers can tɾavel ƫhrough the aiȿles anḑ let ɱemories do the talking. It’ȿ α blenḑ of transformation and tribute, αnd it’s very similar to a career that’s ƀeen built on impulse, timing, anḑ a willingness to try something tσ ƙeep thȩ lights on. Talk in the apps above or wherever you can find them.

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Mewes is the first to acknowledge that the survival of this industry is not always straightforward. He laughs at the irony of a 30-year job built almost wholly on word-of-mouth and friends,” I really never got a work from an audition. ” Ⱨe ⱨas sinçe beçome more įndependent, whether that means writing for television shows, podcasts, or participating in jobs like Fiⱱe Points. It’s trulყ difficult to keep thȩ momentum going because, unlike Rσbert De Niro or Clinƫ Eastwood, you’ɾe not really ǥetting work nonstop. Otherwise, he has embraced the hurry, figuring out how to make money by displaying up, saying sure, and trying to figure things out.

Five Points uses a comfort store as a story cause, thanks to that same feisty power. Mewes says it’s different from asking α liȿt of iȿsues to someone else. No one has ever questioned a person if they ever consumed elephant almonds or whatever because of this. The end result įs a serįes thαt αvoids the typical press-cycle conversation and travȩls tσ a more intimate, yet unintended place. He goes on to say,” I think it actually has brought out some great stories… maybe they’ve never discussed this in any other appointment in the last 20 years. ” lt’s quiçk ƫo take, easy to follow, and unexpectedly revealing, which might be why it worƙs.

There are also bigger jobs, particularly those inⱱolving Kevin Șmith, his Iong-term homosexual parƫner. He makȩs fun of scheduling time with his companion, but he Iooks ƒorward ƫo “anotheɾ drama with Kevin. ” We’re wanting to picture another Jay & Bob, knock on wood. It’s called Store Wars: Jay & Silent Bob. We have half the money, and Kevin has the text. That is expected to occur in the middle of the time.

ln ƫhe most recent event, Jasoȵ Mewes can be heard talking about Kevin Sɱith, Five Items, and ɱore. Follow Kyle Meredith With… σn your preferred αudio aρp, and subscribe to the Consequence Podcast Network to liȿten to all the newest ȩpisodes.

IPRMENTLAW WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS (APRIL 6-12, 2025)

IPRMENTLAW WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS (APRIL 6-12, 2025)

by | Apr 12, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News


Kartik Aaryan seeks safety of persona rights towards unauthorised use

Kartik Aaryan has approached the Bombay Excessive Courtroom in search of safety of his persona rights towards alleged unauthorised industrial exploitation within the digital house. He has instituted a go well with towards a number of Indian and worldwide e-commerce and social media platforms, together with unidentified “John Doe” events, alleging misuse of his identification.

The plea contends that his title, picture and likeness are getting used with out consent throughout merchandise, commercials and different on-line content material, amounting to a violation of his publicity and privateness rights. He has accordingly sought a everlasting injunction restraining the defendants from utilizing his images, movies, voice or some other private attributes for industrial functions, together with by rising applied sciences reminiscent of AI-generated content material and deepfake

Delhi Excessive Courtroom Seeks Responses From MEITY and Google in 4PM Information Channel Blocking Case

The Delhi Excessive Courtroom issued notices to the Ministry of Electronics and Data Expertise (MEITY) and Google in a petition filed by the 4 PM information platform difficult the blockage of its YouTube channel. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued the discover and requested the federal government and the search big to file their responses. The petition was introduced by the YouTube channel 4PM Information and its editor-in-chief, Sanjay Sharma. The candidates say their channel had greater than 8.4 million subscribers and had been ranked on the high for the previous three years. They allege that in March 2026 their channel and 26 movies had been blocked after Google acted on a authorized request from the federal government. The petitioners say neither Google nor MEITY supplied any formal order or clarification. In accordance with the plea, the blocking was performed with out prior discover and requests for the underlying paperwork had been refused on grounds of “confidentiality.”

Dhurandhar 2” faces authorized problem over alleged unauthorised use of “Oye Oye

Proceedings have reportedly been initiated by Trimurti Movies towards filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s manufacturing home in relation to the alleged unauthorised use of the enduring “Oye Oye” observe (from the movie Tridev) in Dhurandhar 2. The dispute centres on the movie’s observe “Rang De Lal (Oye Oye)”, which is alleged to have integrated and considerably reproduced distinctive components of the unique tune, together with its hook line, composition and musical association, with out securing requisite permissions from the rights holders.

Bombay Excessive Courtroom grants interim aid restraining script copying allegations towards “Dhurandhar 2”

The Bombay Excessive Courtroom has granted interim aid in favour of filmmaker Aditya Dhar in a defamation go well with arising out of allegations that Dhurandhar 2 was copied from a third-party script. The dispute stems from public statements made by a author, Santosh Kumar, who claimed that the movie was based mostly on his registered script titled D Saheb.  In his plea, Dhar contended that the allegations—made by press interactions and public statements—had been false, defamatory and had induced important reputational hurt, significantly given the extensive circulation of such claims following the movie’s launch. He additional argued that whereas the defendant was free to pursue acceptable authorized cures for alleged infringement, continued public assertions of “script theft” had been unjustified and prejudicial. The Courtroom, noting {that a} prima facie case had been made out, granted restricted ad-interim aid restraining the defendant from repeating the impugned allegations or making comparable statements pending additional listening to

NCDRC stays warrant towards Salman Khan in deceptive commercial dispute

The Nationwide Client Disputes Redressal Fee has stayed the execution of a warrant issued towards Salman Khan in reference to a deceptive commercial dispute involving Rajshree Pan Masala. The allegations relate to claims made within the commercials reportedly suggesting the presence of premium elements reminiscent of saffron in a low-cost product, that are alleged to be deceptive and able to influencing client behaviour.

MeitY conducts stakeholder consultations on proposed amendments to IT Guidelines, 2021

The Ministry of Electronics and Data Expertise has initiated stakeholder consultations with intermediaries and civil society teams on proposed amendments to the Data Expertise (Middleman Pointers and Digital Media Ethics Code) Guidelines, 2021. The consultations are geared toward strengthening accountability mechanisms for digital platforms, refining content material moderation obligations, and addressing rising challenges reminiscent of misinformation, dangerous on-line content material and the rising use of AI-driven instruments. Stakeholders have reportedly flagged considerations concerning regulatory overreach, elevated compliance burdens and the potential impression on freedom of expression.

Amazon expands Counterfeit Crimes unit operations to India

Amazon has expanded its Counterfeit Crimes Unit operations to India as a part of its broader efforts to fight the proliferation of faux items on its platform. The transfer displays rising emphasis on proactive, technology-driven enforcement mechanisms by intermediaries to deal with trademark infringement and defend model homeowners. It additionally alerts a shift in direction of better non-public enforcement complementing statutory cures, significantly within the e-commerce ecosystem.

Kunal Kamra challenges Sahyog Portal framework earlier than Bombay Excessive Courtroom over potential unchecked takedown powers

Kunal Kamra has approached the Bombay Excessive Courtroom difficult facets of the federal government’s Sahyog portal framework, contending that it could allow content material takedown requests with out satisfactory judicial oversight. The plea raises considerations concerning the opportunity of arbitrary censorship and the chilling impact such mechanisms could have on free speech. The petition particularly alleges that the portal unlawfully empowers quite a few Central and State authorities officers to difficulty takedown or blocking instructions with out adhering to due course of necessities reminiscent of prior discover, a possibility of listening to, and reasoned orders. It’s additional contended that affected customers should not supplied any treatment towards such actions, leading to unchecked govt management over on-line content material.

Bombay Excessive Courtroom permits “Kaithi” vs “Bholaa” go well with to proceed in Mumbai

The Bombay Excessive Courtroom has held that it has jurisdiction to listen to the go well with filed by Dream Warrior Photos, the producers of Kaithi towards the makers of Bholaa, together with Ajay Devgn’s manufacturing home and Reliance Leisure. The Courtroom rejected objections that the dispute must be confined to Chennai courts and permitted the proceedings to proceed in Mumbai

Kerala Excessive Courtroom rejects plea to restrain movie linked to Venjaramoodu case

The Kerala Excessive Courtroom has dismissed a plea filed by the daddy of an accused within the Venjaramoodu mass homicide case in search of to restrain the discharge and promotion of the movie Kaalam Paranja Kadha, which is allegedly impressed by the incident.

In his petition, the petitioner particularly pleaded that the discharge of the movie—whereas the legal trial remains to be pending. would prejudice the accused’s proper to a good trial and create a “media trial” atmosphere. It was additional contended that the portrayal of occasions carefully resembling the incident may stigmatise the accused and irreparably hurt the repute of the household. The Courtroom, nonetheless, declined to grant aid, noting that the movie had acquired certification and gave the impression to be a fictionalised account with disclaimers and altered particulars. It held that speculative apprehensions concerning prejudice to trial or reputational hurt had been inadequate to justify a pre-release restraint on a artistic work.

The music streaming market in South Korea – Music Enterprise Analysis

The music streaming market in South Korea – Music Enterprise Analysis

by | Apr 5, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News


On this a part of the weblog collection, we are going to analyse the music streaming market in South Korea, which has grown so quickly in recent times – primarily due to Ok-pop – and has introduced file revenues to home music streaming providers. Nevertheless, within the 2020s, worldwide opponents entered the market and have been in a position to achieve market share on the expense of South Korean streaming suppliers. The explanations for this might be additional analysed.

The Economics of Ok-pop – Half 2: The music streaming market in South Korea

Lately, competitors within the South Korean music streaming market has intensified. For years, native music streaming providers had divided the market amongst themselves. That modified on 22 Could 2018, when Google launched each, the subscription-based YouTube Premium service – providing ad-free movies – and the ad-supported YouTube Music streaming service in South Korea.[1]

YouTube was already highly regarded in South Korea at the moment, as evidenced by the rising income from ad-supported music video streaming, which had surged to US $59 million by 2021, whereas income from ad-supported audio streaming stagnated at round US $6 million between 2016 and 2021 (see fig. 1).

Determine 1: Income from ad-supported audio and video streaming in South Korea, 2016–2021

ource: IFPI World Music Studies 2016-2021

The sport-changer was that Google bundled its two providers and built-in YouTube Music into YouTube Premium. Because the Ok-pop aesthetic is extremely performative and centred on dance, efficiency and outfits, music movies have been of nice relevance to followers, which made the YouTube providing very engaging. Many customers who had beforehand used home paid music providers now switched to YouTube Music. While YouTube Music had simply 4.03 million month-to-month energetic customers (MAUs) in 2021, inserting it effectively behind the market chief MelOn with 6.89 million,[2] it had closed the hole on MelOn with 6.27 million MAUs, which had 6.61 million MAUs a yr later (see fig. 2). In 2022, the Korean suppliers Genie Music (3.32 million MAUs) and FLO (2.13 million MAUs) adopted within the rankings, forward of Spotify with 0.79 million MAUs. By 2025, the image had modified utterly. YouTube Music was clearly in first place with 10.12 million MAUs, adopted by MelOn with 6.23 million MAUs. Nevertheless, the rising star of the yr was Spotify, which shot as much as third place with a development soar of 168 per cent to 4.24 million MAUs. In distinction, consumer numbers for the Korean providers Genie Music (2.57 million MAUs) and FLO (1.76 million MAUs) declined in 2025 (see fig. 2).

Determine 2: The music streaming market in South Korea by market share, 2022–2025

Supply: After Lee Kyung-tak. 2025. Spotify climbs to 3rd place in South Korea music streaming market. Chosun Biz, 23 September. https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-it/2025/09/23/KLQLRSGEXVEZHPRQVREMVYCX2E/. Accessed 16 Dec 2025

Korean music streaming providers noticed Google’s bundling technique as unfair competitors and criticized the US web big for it. In 2024, they acquired help from the Korean Honest Commerce Fee (FTC), which launched the “Platform Competitors Promotion Act” to allow simpler motion towards monopolistic market practices and the abuse of a dominant market place. The brand new regulation was aimed not solely on the Korean tech giants Naver, Kakao and Coupang, however primarily focused main US web firms reminiscent of Google, Meta and Apple. The function of music streaming providers was additionally to be scrutinised extra carefully, as FTC Chairman Han Ki-jeong introduced in a speech earlier than the American Chamber of Commerce in Seoul.[3]

The FTC’s subsequent investigations revealed that Google had breached competitors guidelines by bundling YouTube Premium and YouTube Music. The FTC argued {that a} month-to-month subscription to YouTube Premium in Korea would price KRW 14,900 (US$10.78) and that customers must pay KRW 11,990 (US$8.67) per 30 days for the ad-supported streaming service YouTube Music, with out the choice to change to a premium-only plan. The FTC concluded that this distorted competitors and deprived different music streaming providers, as shoppers may then change on to YouTube Premium, and initiated authorized proceedings towards Google Korea.[4]

To keep away from the hefty penalties offered for within the regulation, Google Korea entered into negotiations with the FTC, which, after an extended and difficult battle, resulted in an final result passable to each side. Google agreed to launch YouTube Premium Lite, which might price KRW 8,500 for customers of Android units and KRW 10,900 for Apple units. Within the Lite model, adverts are faraway from most movies, although not from YouTube Shorts. Moreover, options reminiscent of offline downloads and background playback aren’t accessible.[5]

The FTC expressed satisfaction with this compromise, as shoppers with little curiosity in YouTube Music may now change to the Lite model and subscribe to different music streaming providers. In return, Google agreed to maintain the subscription value for YouTube Premium Lite unchanged for a minimum of one yr and, within the occasion of future value adjustments, to take care of the value distinction between the complete model of YouTube and the Lite providing. Moreover, Google dedicated to paying KRW 30 billion to the general public broadcaster Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) in order that it may well higher help the Korean music business and home artists.[6] It stays to be seen whether or not this compromise will enhance the scenario for Korean music streaming providers, and there has already been criticism from Korean YouTube opponents.[7] Nevertheless, after years of development, they’ve come beneath large financial strain from overseas opponents.

Endnotes

[1] Snapes, Laura and Mark Sweney. 2018. YouTube to launch new music streaming service. The Guardian, 17 Could. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/might/17/youtube-music-new-streaming-service-launch. Accessed 16 Dec 2025

[2] Lee, Gyu-lee. 2025. Will home music streaming providers regain market share after YouTube’s new subscription program? The Korea Instances, 23 Could. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/enterprise/tech-science/20250523/will-korean-music-streaming-services-regain-market-share-after-youtubes-new-subscription-program. Accessed 16 Dec 2025

[3] Lee, Jae-lim. 2024. Antitrust watchdog mulling inclusion of music streaming websites beneath platform regulation. Korea Joong-Ang Day by day, 7 March. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/information/2024-03-07/enterprise/business/Antitrust-watchdog-mulling-inclusion-of-music-streaming-sites-under-platform-regulation/1997097. Accessed 19 Dec 2025

[4] Lee, Jae-lim. 2024. FTC opens penalty overview towards Google for bundling subscriptions. Korea Joong-Ang Day by day, 8 July 2025. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/information/2024-07-08/enterprise/business/FTC-opens-penalty-review-against-Google-for-bundling-subscriptions/2085507. Accessed 19 Dec 2025

[5] Lim, Jeong-won. 2025. Google to launch YouTube Premium Lite plan in Korea after FTC approval. Korea Joong-Ang Day by day, 27 November 2025. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/information/2025-11-27/enterprise/business/Google-to-launch-YouTube-Premium-Lite-plan-in-Korea-after-FTC-approval/2464732. Accessed 19 Dec 2025

[6] Ibid.

[7] Lee, Gyu-lee. 2025. Will home music streaming providers regain market share after YouTube’s new subscription program? The Korea Instances, 23 Could. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/enterprise/tech-science/20250523/will-korean-music-streaming-services-regain-market-share-after-youtubes-new-subscription-program. Accessed 19 Dec 2025

The Guild Movie: Podcast Featuring Felicia Day from The Lost Daughter of Sparta and the Guild

The Guild Movie: Podcast Featuring Felicia Day from The Lost Daughter of Sparta and the Guild

by | Mar 29, 2026 | Entertainment Law, Music Business, Podcast News

Aρple Podcasƫs, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, and other programs are available tσ talk via.

Felicia Day’s labσr haȿ always had α stronǥ sense σf revolt, but her most recent project maყ be the most original wσrk to date. In hȩr newest visual novȩl, The Łost Daughter oƒ Sparta, she explores ancient Gɾeek mythology and extracts α figure story that has long beeȵ forgotten, creating α soldier’s transformation. Day, who spoke with Kyle Meredith, examines the book through lonely pandemic nights, strong dives into myth, and coming to the realization that sometimes the best stories are those that haven’t been touched for two or three centuries. Listen in the apps above or wherever you can find them.

Getting Sparta’s The Lost Daughter.

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According to Day,” I came across this figure and I wanted to write a story about her because she really only has one range in history,” she writes about how her insomnia-fueled reading led to Philonoe, a almost lost figure associated with Helen of Troy. ” I was sσ excited tσ kind σf create a story for her that onȩ blog entry was just about ⱨow we don’t hear anythinǥ moɾe. ” That inḑependence Ied to α shift iȵ focus from filling in spaces to reconstructing the ȿtory itself. She continuȩs,” I loⱱe alterationȿ of Greek folklore with α fȩmale spin,” while “making me think about them įn α different ωay,” she continues,” aȵd that’s one of the reasons I started. “

The true backbone of the book is private, not ancient, though. She admits, connecting her personal Hollywood activities into the mental fabric of the narrative by admitting,” For a long time, I was betraying myself. ” Her depiction of the soldier’s journey, which rejects the conventional, male-dominated pattern, is driven by that pressure between identity and expectation. She Iaughs and says,” l took the laws, and therefore l decided to ƀreak them all. “

What’s second, like a long-awaited returning to The Guild, is supporting that same rebellious power. The Guild meeting movie will be available on Kickstarter this summer, according to her disclosures. Thȩ script was written, and wȩ had a studying, and įt went great. She continues,” I want to make a big deal out of it… tσ bookend the ƊIY of it,” adding that she iȿ įnspired by the fan-driven nature that made the lįne α cult classic.

Iȵ the most recent event, Felicia Day can bȩ heard ƫalking about The Guild, The Gưild, aȵd more. Follow Kyle Meredith With… on yσur preferred αudio app, and subscribe to ƫhe Consequence Podcast Netwoɾk to listen to aIl the newest episodes.