The Delhi High Court today asked private channels to respect and be fair in using the footage of Commonwealth Games, starting October 3, for which Prasar Bharti has exclusive broadcasting rights. The Court''s directive comes after Prasar Bharti filed an injunction suit against 24 channels and the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games fearing infringement of its copyright.

         Even though the High Court did not pass any injunction against the 24 television channels against whom Prasar Bharti had approached the court, Justice V K Shali directed them to strictly follow the rules mentioned in the section 39 of the Copyrights Act. Section 39 provides for "fair dealing" acts by which the channels would not infringe upon the rights of the official broadcaster.

         It says that no broadcast reproduction would be infringed if they are recorded for the purpose of "reporting of current events or for bona fide review, teaching or research". Under International Television News Access Rules, when a games organising committee gives exclusive rights to a particular channel, no other organisation may broadcast sound or images of the event. Commonwealth Games would be held in New Delhi from October 3 to 14.

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