Authority: Madras High Court
Order Date: 28 August 2026
Case Overview
- Applicant: ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, represented by authorized signatory Mr. Siju Prabhakaran.
- Respondents: Studio Green Films Pvt Ltd (Director Mr. K E Gnanavel Raja) and Pen India Private Limited.
- The dispute stems from an Assignment Agreement dated 22 May 2023 between ZEE and Studio Green for certain rights in a Tamil film.
- ZEE issued a termination notice on 31 July 2025 alleging breaches; the film had not yet been released.
- Despite termination, Studio Green continued using ZEE’s logo and trademarks, prompting a cease‑and‑desist notice and a claim for damages.
- Studio Green obtained an interim injunction on 28 November 2025 (A.No.5984 of 2025) restraining further proceedings, allegedly bypassing Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act.
- Subsequently, Studio Green entered a settlement with Pen India whereby Pen India absolved Studio Green of liabilities under the tripartite agreement and also released ZEE from any payment obligations.
- Counsel for ZEE (Mr. M. Narendran of King and Partridge) argued that the termination was valid and the injunction should be vacated; counsel for Studio Green (Mr. Vijayan Subramanian) contended that the tripartite agreement novated the original assignment, preventing termination.
- The Court noted that the assignment agreement and a payment direction letter dated 6 November 2024 referenced payments to Pen India, and that Pen India’s letter confirmed settlement and that ZEE was no longer required to pay under the tripartite agreement.
Final Outcome
- The Court vacated the interim injunction dated 28 November 2025 under Order VIII of the Original Side Rules r/w Section 151 CPC.
- Application A.No.987 of 2026 was allowed; the earlier application A.No.5984 of 2025 was dismissed.
- No order as to costs was made.
Topics: Film Rights Dispute, Interim Injunction, Court Order