The Delhi High Court has ordered YouTuber Mohak Mangal to take down a video in which he accused a major news agency of extortion and blackmail over copyright enforcement.
The court took issue with the language used, stating that it crossed the bounds of civility and constituted defamation.
The lawsuit was filed after Mangal released a video on May 25 alleging that the agency’s copyright strikes on his YouTube channel—and subsequent licensing fee demands—were a form of coercion. The agency contended that the video falsely portrayed its lawful enforcement actions and harmed its reputation.
Social Media Amplification
Two prominent public figures, a comedian and a fact-checker, were also named in the suit for allegedly promoting and sharing the video on social media, thereby furthering its reach and impact.
High Court Criticizes Tone
Justice Amit Bansal observed that while individuals are free to express dissent, the tone and vocabulary used in public discourse must remain respectful. He suggested that Mangal could have communicated his concerns in a more appropriate manner and asked his counsel to consider voluntarily removing the video.
Differing Legal Arguments
The counsel for the news agency argued that the YouTuber unlawfully used copyrighted material and resorted to defamatory retaliation when held accountable. Mangal’s legal team responded by alleging that the agency’s demand for over ₹40 lakh to lift copyright strikes was disproportionate and constituted extortion.
Next Hearing
The matter remains under judicial consideration, with the next hearing scheduled soon. The court will further examine the balance between freedom of expression and the right to protect one’s reputation.
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