Kuku Tech wins interim relief against Mohalla Tech in copyright suit

MUMBAI: Mohalla Tech’s platforms just got another legal speed bump because when short videos keep racking up lawsuits, even the feeds start feeling like evidence. Kuku Technologies Pvt Ltd (formerly Mebigo Labs) has secured interim procedural relief from the Delhi High Court in its copyright infringement suit against Mohalla Tech Pvt Ltd, the company behind Moj and Sharechat. In an order dated 18 March 2026, Justice Jyoti Singh exempted Kuku from pre-institution mediation under Section 12-A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, citing urgency and relying on Supreme Court and Delhi High Court precedents.

The dispute centres on alleged unauthorised use and dissemination of Kuku’s copyrighted content on Mohalla Tech’s platforms. The court issued summons, directed Mohalla Tech to file its written statement within 30 days along with an affidavit on documents, and granted Kuku liberty to file replication within 30 days thereafter.

While declining an ex parte ad interim injunction, Justice Singh recorded Mohalla Tech’s assurance that the flagged URLs were removed on 17 March and that no further promotion via push notifications would occur. The company was ordered to provide basic subscriber information for users linked to the disputed content within one week.

For future instances, the court mandated removal of any additional infringing links within 36 hours of notification. The matter is listed for hearing on 13 May 2026.

Kuku’s action joins a growing wave of legal challenges against Mohalla Tech. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited earlier sued over alleged violations, while Greenhorn Wellness Pvt Ltd (parent of StoryTV) claimed more than 4,500 instances of infringement. San Francisco-based Dashverse also sent a legal notice and threatened court proceedings after discovering pirated versions of its paywalled content on the platforms, demanding user details including IP addresses.

Mohalla Tech maintains it operates as an intermediary under the IT Act, 2000 and the 2021 Intermediary Guidelines, does not originate user-generated content, and acts promptly on valid complaints through robust grievance mechanisms.

In India’s booming short-video arena, where every clip can spark a copyright storm, the courts are sending a clear signal: platforms may host the content, but the responsibility to keep it clean is non-negotiable and the takedown clock is ticking faster than a viral reel.