Republic TV can use 'the nation wants to know' phrase
Even as Times Group is battling with Republic TV over the phrase "the nations wants to know", Delhi High Court has allowed Arnab Goswami to go ahead with its titular show 'The Newshour' and the iconic phrase. Meanwhile, court has ordered Republic TV to file a written-statement on the matter within four weeks. It has restrained both parties from publishing any news over this.
Arnab Goswami gets notice for intellectual property theft
The Delhi HC has issued notice to Republic TV founder Arnab Goswami for breach of employment contract and misuse of intellectual property. BCCL, owner of Times Now, had filed a complaint after its rival aired an expose on Sunanda Pushkar and Lalu Prasad Yadav. The tapes had been 'procured and accessed' by Goswami and Prema Sridevi while they were still working with Times Now.
What were the allegations?
The allegations related to two sets of audio-tapes which were played on Republic TV. The first one, involving Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mohammad Shahbuddin was allegedly in the possession of Times Now and was procured while Arnab was working with Times Now. The second, involving Sunanda Pushkar and former Times Now reporter Prema Sridevi was also procured when the two were with Times Now.
What did Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd say?
In their complaint, BCCL stated that Arnab Goswami and Prema Sridevi "have wilfully, deliberately and with knowledge converted for their benefit and used the aforesaid intellectual property of Times Now and thereby dishonestly misappropriated the said intellectual property."
This petty fight has been going on for long!
Before Arnab's Republic TV had gone live, Times Group had sent a legal notice to him asking him not to use the phrase 'Nation wants to know.' However, according to an article by Mint, none of the parties own the rights to the phrase and according to experts, it'll be a tough job to get a trademark for a phrase that is quite common.
Arnab Goswami elated with Court's order
With the Delhi High Court's order, an elated Arnab Goswami said that he was grateful to the Court because the phrase 'the nation wants to know' represented the essence of their journalism. He added that the phrase also highlighted their fight for accountability. Meanwhile, Chief Executive and Managing Director for Times Group remained unavailable for comment.
