Bommareddy Reddy Settles Copyright Dispute Rs 12L

Authority: Supreme Court of India (Mediation Centre)

Order Date: 15 October 2026

Case Overview

Parties: Petitioner – Bommareddy Ashok Reddy, script‑writer; Respondent – M/s Panchajanya Features, represented by its Director Mr Shravan Jesta and others.
Nature of Dispute: Copyright infringement claim over the story and screenplay for the film Vinnapalu Vinavale Vintha Vinthalu; original suit filed as O.S No. 268/2024 in the District Court, LB Nagar, Ranga Reddy, Telangana.
Procedural History:
District Court dismissed the respondent’s jurisdiction‑challenge application on 15‑07‑2024.
High Court of Telangana set aside that dismissal on 02‑05‑2025 (Civil Revision Petition No. 2323/2024).
The matter reached the Supreme Court as SLP (Civil) No. 16092/2025; the Court referred the parties to mediation on 18‑08‑2025.
Initial mediation attempt failed; the case was listed for hearing on 02‑12‑2025, where the Court noted the lack of merit but allowed the petitioner’s settlement proposal.
Parties appeared before the Supreme Court Mediation Centre on 16‑12‑2025 and reached a settlement.
Settlement Agreement (dated 25‑04‑2026):

1. Credit & Attribution: Story credited to Ashok Bommareddy; screenplay credited as “Ashok Bommareddy and other names”.

2. Consideration: Lump‑sum payment of Rs 12,00,000 (Twelve Lakhs) to the writer as full and final settlement for story, screenplay, and services rendered.

3. Payment Schedule: Rs 4,00,000 payable at signing; remaining Rs 8,00,000 payable within 60 days of the first payment.

4. Assignment of Rights: Writer irrevocably assigns all rights, title, and interest in the story, screenplay, drafts, concepts, characters, and dialogues to the respondent. The respondent becomes the sole, exclusive, perpetual owner of these rights in all formats, media, languages, and territories, present and future.

5. Waiver of Moral Rights: Writer waives, to the extent permitted by law, all moral rights under Section 57 of the Copyright Act, 1957.

6. No Further Claims: Writer acknowledges receipt of the settlement as full satisfaction and agrees not to pursue any civil, criminal, commercial, or other proceedings, nor any royalty, profit share, or authorship claims.

7. Confidentiality: Writer must maintain strict confidentiality of the story, screenplay, project details, and the settlement terms; any breach constitutes a material breach, making the writer liable for all litigation costs, damages, and remedies including injunctions and specific performance.

8. Governing Law & Jurisdiction: Agreement governed by Indian law; exclusive jurisdiction of Hyderabad courts for any dispute arising from the agreement.

9. Entire Agreement: The settlement supersedes all prior negotiations; amendments only valid if in writing and signed by both parties.

10. Mutual Non‑Litigation: Both parties agree not to initiate any further legal action against each other concerning the same dispute.

Court Order:

1. The original Settlement Agreement is taken on record and kept with the case file.

2. Parties are directed to abide by all terms and conditions of the settlement.

3. The Special Leave Petition is disposed of in terms of the settlement.

4. Any pending applications, if any, are also disposed of.

Final Outcome

The Supreme Court formally records the mediated settlement, disposes of SLP No. 16092/2025, and binds both parties to the Rs 12 lakh full‑and‑final settlement, assignment of all copyright and related rights to Panchajanya Features, and the confidentiality and non‑litigation covenants stipulated.