“Humans of Bombay vs. People of India: A Landmark Copyright Verdict by Delhi High Court”

The realm of storytelling platforms recently witnessed a significant legal showdown. The well-known “Humans of Bombay” (HOB) squared off against “People of India” (POI) in a copyright battle that reached the chambers of the Delhi High Court. At the heart of this dispute was the quintessential question – can copyright law protect an idea or merely its expression?

Background of the Case

Humans of Bombay, much like its inspiration “Humans of New York,” weaves the tales of diverse individuals into interviews, articles, and multimedia creations. These are then shared across their website and various social media platforms. They alleged that POI, operating on a strikingly similar business model, replicated several of HOB’s stories, thereby infringing on copyrighted materials, including photographs, text, videos, and more.

POI’s Defense

In a hearing held on October 11, 2023, POI argued that the foundation of HOB’s platform was hardly original. Drawing attention to the multitude of platforms that sprouted from the “Humans of New York” idea, POI contended that such a concept couldn’t be copyrighted. They added that, since the images in their stories were sourced directly from the individuals featured, similarities with HOB’s content were inevitable. Interestingly, POI also highlighted instances where photos in HOB’s content matched those in their stories.

The Verdict

The Delhi High Court, in its wisdom, clarified that while HOB couldn’t claim exclusive rights over the storytelling platform idea, the unique way they presented and shared stories was, indeed, a protected expression under the Copyright Act of 1957. To replicate such an expression would be treading on the wrong side of the law.

Furthermore, the court underscored that personal images shared by users on these platforms weren’t under the purview of copyright claims by either platform. However, any commissioned photographs or films would remain protected by the entity that funded their creation.

In the end, to safeguard the rights and efforts of both platforms, the court prohibited either from using the copyrighted works of the other.

Conclusion

The “Humans of Bombay vs. People of India” verdict reinforces the principle that while ideas are free to roam, their distinctive expressions, once materialized, are safeguarded by the law. It’s a landmark decision that emphasizes the boundaries between inspiration and duplication, ensuring that creativity continues to thrive in the digital age.