Entertainment
oi-Prakash KL
Has a Bengaluru court barred social media reviews? This is a piece of rumour that is doing rounds on social media sites.
Well, the truth is that the court has not banned “public reviews or genuine criticism” but false and defamatory content against the movie, Live Law reported.
A Bengaluru court issued an interim injunction on September 19 against specific false and defamatory content targeting the movie “The Paradise,” set for release September 24, clarifying that genuine reviews and criticism are not banned.
A Bengaluru court has passed an ex parte ad interim injunction restraining the circulation of allegedly false and defamatory content concerning the upcoming film The Paradise, which is scheduled for worldwide theatrical release on September 24.
The XXXV Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru passed the interim order on September 19, days before The Paradise is scheduled to hit theatres worldwide on September 24.
The order came after Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Cinemas LLP, the producer of the film, approached the court complaining about certain social media posts and links relating to the movie.
The producer claimed that several posts containing false and derogatory statements had appeared online after the film’s trailer was released on August 6. According to the petition, some of the material was not ordinary criticism but was allegedly aimed at damaging the film’s commercial prospects.
The producer also told the court that a substantial amount had been spent on making, promoting and distributing the film. With the release only days away, it argued that continued circulation of the allegedly defamatory material could cause financial and reputational damage.
The producer sought an immediate temporary injunction without waiting for the defendants to be notified. It argued that giving advance notice could result in the posts being removed, altered or circulated more widely.
After examining the material submitted by the producer, the court found that a prima facie case had been made out. The judge noted that some of the statements shown to the court appeared to go beyond normal artistic criticism and were allegedly directed at reducing the commercial value of the film.
The court subsequently restrained the defendants and those acting on their behalf from publishing, transmitting, reproducing or making available the specific content identified in the producer’s case.
What About Reviews And Criticism?
This is where the social media reports about the order appear to have created confusion.
The court has not imposed a blanket restriction on reviews of The Paradise. People can still express their opinions about the film, including negative opinions, as long as those posts fall within the scope of genuine criticism.
The restriction applies to the specific URLs and material that the producer has complained about as allegedly false and defamatory.
The order is also temporary. It will remain in force only until the next hearing and does not automatically continue until or beyond the film’s release.
The producer has been directed to provide the defendants with copies of the case papers and the court’s order as required under Order XXXIX Rule 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
The matter will come up for further hearing on October 28.
So, while the Bengaluru court has acted against specific allegedly defamatory online content concerning The Paradise, it has not banned social media reviews or genuine criticism of the film.
