Delhi High Court issued an interim order directing Kuku FM to immediately halt releasing new episodes of five audio series. The order came in response to a copyright and trademark infringement petition filed by rival Pocket FM. It will remain in effect until the next court hearing on August 29. The court also demanded Kuku FM submit detailed information about the disputed shows The Economic Times
⚖️ 5 Key Details of the Order
- Five series restrained
Episodes from five audio shows allegedly infringe Pocket FM content; all future episodes are paused - Information disclosure mandated
Kuku FM must provide full details of the restricted content, including series outlines and revenue data - Hearing set for August 29
The temporary ban stays until a detailed hearing on August 29, 2025 - Pocket FM seeks ₹85.7 crore damages
The content creator has demanded around ₹85.7 crore in damages for systematic copying - History of legal battles
This battle marks yet another round between the two rivals—Pocket FM previously secured an injunction against Kuku FM in May 2025 for copying the show Insta Millionaire
💥 Why This Matters
- Content ownership rights: Reinforces strict protections for IP in India’s booming audio story market.
- High stakes enforcement: The large ₹85.7 crore claim signals that digital rights are taken seriously.
- Startups under scrutiny: Lay a warning for platforms—aggressive formats copying can lead to court-enforced halts and reputational risk.
- Potential investor impact: Kuku FM’s funding plans (~$70 M) may be affected by the ongoing legal proceedings
- Legal precedent: Sets the tone for future disputes within India’s growing digital audio storytelling space.
🔭 Next Steps
- Court update on August 29: The court will assess infringement claims and may lift or extend the restriction.
- Revenue disclosure: Kuku FM must submit a CA-certified earnings report on the accused series.
- Injunction outcome: Depending on evidence, the court could extend the ban beyond streaming to take-downs.
✅ Bottom Line
The Delhi HC’s order for Kuku FM to stop releasing new episodes of five series is a significant win for Pocket FM. It underscores the perils of content duplication in India’s digital entertainment phase. Startups must tread carefully on IP to avoid legal tangles and ensure sustainable growth.
