COLORS wins legal battle to save 'Uttaran' title...

If ever the saying 'What's in a name' is applicable, it would be in the legal battle between writer and producer Ashok Mudgal and COLORS, over the title of the show Uttaran. Yesterday we had reported that Mr. Mudgal had claimed that the High Court had granted a stay on the title due to copy right infringement. But today, it appears that the Superior Court has refused to hear the case and have asked Mudgal to move the Sessions court.

But Producer Mr. Pintoo Guha of Film Farms says, "The court has dismissed the case and that there will be no change of title".  

COLORS on their part issued the following statement. "Ashok Mudgal had filed the suit to stop the channel "Colors" and producer Film Farm India Pvt. Ltd. from telecasting and advertising their serial under the title "UTARAN" on the basis of his claim that the title "Utaran" was registered in his favor by Film Maker Combine and Western India Film Producers Association. He filed the suit at a belated stage i.e on the first day of telecast of the show and after a lapse of one month from the start of promotions of the show. He was unable to get any relief until 47 shows of the serial were telecast. On Wednesday (18th Feb), the Bombay High Court granted ad-interim injunction restraining the telecast of serial under the title "Utaran". The restraining order was operative from 22nd February, Monday. The matter was heard again today. Counsel Mr. Venkatesh Dhond instructed by Mr. Ameet Naik from Naik, Naik and Company appeared on behalf of Producer and the Channel and submitted that the Producer had obtained registration of the title "Utaran" after obtaining no-objection of Film Maker Combine. Mr. Dhond also submitted that there is no copyright in "title". He also pointed out that the High Court lacked pecuniary jurisdiction to entertain the suit. The High Court observed that there is no copyright in title. The High Court was convinced that Mr. Mudgal was not entitled to any relief since the suit was not maintainable on the ground of pecuniary jurisdiction hence no reliefs were granted in favor of Mr. Mudgal".

We wonder whether this is the end of the title drama or not?

Reporter and Author: Anil Merani