“Both the judiciary and the media are the foundational pillars of democracy, which is a basic feature of the Constitution. For a liberal democracy to thrive, both should supplement each other.”
-    Supreme Court in its judgment setting aside take-down order against Wikimedia Foundation

A Trademark RIL Did Not Want
The rules are clear: First come, first served, with few exceptions. Hence, many content creators and squatters now rush to trademark landmark events. They bet on making movies, web series etc on such events in the future. Some do it just to sell the rights in future. 

So, when the government dubbed its recent surgical strike in Pakistan “Operation Sindoor”, nearly a dozen trademark applications were filed for the name within hours. Most of these came from individuals—likely trying to squat on the name—but one filing caught everyone off guard: Reliance Industries Limited.

From a marketing standpoint, it was a clever move. But it touched a raw nerve. Within hours, RIL withdrew the application, blaming it on a “junior employee acting without authorisation.”

Several other applications remain, and it will be interesting to see how the story unfolds.

The Week That Was
Key Rulings of the Week 

• The Supreme Court held that courts must not give take-down orders against media without valid reason over sub-judice matters that can be debated in public interest. The court set aside Delhi High Court’s order which had ordered asked Wikipedia to take down a page that gave details about ANI’s lawsuit against Wikipedia’s parent company.
• NCLAT does not have the jurisdiction to condone delay beyond 45 days as prescribed under the IBC, the Supreme Court held.

Courts

• Delhi High Court grants interim relief to Goethe Institut, a German organisation, against an Indian firm using the Max Mueller mark in its German language course offerings.
• Dehi High Court closes the cases between Hamdard and Ramdev Baba over communal slurs after court’s orders are complied with.
• The Delhi High Court ordered the seizure and transfer of 129 electric passenger vehicles pledged to STCI Finance Ltd by Gensol and BluSmart, following allegations by the lender that the companies had defaulted on a ₹150 million loan and were attempting to illegally dispose of the vehicles.
• The Delhi High Court bars rogue websites from streaming English Premiere League matches
• Bombay High Court has sought the Centre’s response in a plea by India’s drug regulator seeking permission to begin human trials for indigenous cancer vaccine.

Quasi Courts

• Reliance group withdrew its trademark application for “Operation Sindoor” shortly after heavy criticism over filing for the same within hours of announcement of the military operation.
• The NCLAT dismissed an appeal by SNJ Synthetics Ltd for initiating insolvency proceedings against PepsiCo India.
• SAT refused to stay a SEBI order that barred Gensol Engg Ltd and its promoters from accessing the capital market at the back of allegations of fund diversion

Others

• Amid increasing cross-border tension between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued safety guidelines aimed at protecting court personnel and judicial officers stationed in vulnerable border areas.
• Courts in Amritsar and Ajnala in Punjab to stay closed till May 14 due to escalated tension between India and Pakistan.
• Chief Justice of India writes to President and Prime Minister regarding the in-house committee’s inquiry into Justice Yashwant Varma. The to judge has also attached Varma’s response to the inquiry report. 

The Big Listings
May 13: Supreme Court scheduled to hear petitions relating to anti-conversion laws in the week commencing May 13
May 14: Supreme Court to hear a batch of cases relating to the GST notices sent to online gaming apps
May 14: Supreme Court to hear a batch of petitions challenging the newly passed Waqf Amendment Act
May 26: Supreme Court scheduled to begin hearing case relating to Dharavi redevelopment project awarded to Adani in the week beginning May 26
* The dates of hearing can change and a concrete list is prepared just a day before

Legal Moves 

• Sheetal Mishra and Diya Gabija elevates as Associate Partners at ALMT Legal
• Naresh Thacker leaves ELP for independent counsel practice
• Tarun Bhattacharya joins Sarthak Advocates as Partner
• Vikram Sobti rejoins Chandhiok & Mahajan as Head of Real Estate