fazaal24
01-20-2007, 07:21 AM
The Colombo Commercial High Court yesterday ordered MTV Network Private Limited to file answers in the intellectual property violation case filed against it by a veteran film producer.
Commercial High Court judge A. W. A. Salam made this order when Chitra Balasuriya, the film producer of 'Parasathumal', sued the TV station, claiming Rs. five million as damages. Filing the action under the Intellectual Property Act, Balasuriya stated that 'Parasathumal', a film directed by the late actor, Gamini Fonseka, was produced by him and the right to screening, selling or using it for any commercial activity, relating to the film, belonged only to him.
The plaintiff stated that he was the producer of the film 'Parasathumal' and also 'Thunmanhandiya', directed by Mahagama Sekara. 'Parasathumal' was first released in 1966 and he had spent nearly Rs. 200,000, for the production and promotion of the film. The film became very popular and was later screened in India. In 2004 the film was reprinted, at a cost of Rs. 2 million and arrangements were underway for it to be screened for the public.
Balasuriya complained that without his prior approval, the defendant, MTV Network Private Limited had telecast the film on its Sinhala channel Sirasa on September 30, 2006. The film was telecast under the programme "Gamini Fonseka in Retrospect", and money has been unlawfully collected, by a television screening of his production.
The plaintiff stated that the defendant has violated his intellectual rights and gained profits by screening his film. This had caused him damages which he estimated at Rs. 5,000,000.
Balasuriya also asked court to issue an order on the defendant, MTV, to hand over the copies of the film to him. The court issued notice returnable on February 12.
Attorneys-at-law Iranga Siriwardena and P. L. S. Bandara instructed by Champika S. Bandara appeared for Mr. Balasuriya.
Commercial High Court judge A. W. A. Salam made this order when Chitra Balasuriya, the film producer of 'Parasathumal', sued the TV station, claiming Rs. five million as damages. Filing the action under the Intellectual Property Act, Balasuriya stated that 'Parasathumal', a film directed by the late actor, Gamini Fonseka, was produced by him and the right to screening, selling or using it for any commercial activity, relating to the film, belonged only to him.
The plaintiff stated that he was the producer of the film 'Parasathumal' and also 'Thunmanhandiya', directed by Mahagama Sekara. 'Parasathumal' was first released in 1966 and he had spent nearly Rs. 200,000, for the production and promotion of the film. The film became very popular and was later screened in India. In 2004 the film was reprinted, at a cost of Rs. 2 million and arrangements were underway for it to be screened for the public.
Balasuriya complained that without his prior approval, the defendant, MTV Network Private Limited had telecast the film on its Sinhala channel Sirasa on September 30, 2006. The film was telecast under the programme "Gamini Fonseka in Retrospect", and money has been unlawfully collected, by a television screening of his production.
The plaintiff stated that the defendant has violated his intellectual rights and gained profits by screening his film. This had caused him damages which he estimated at Rs. 5,000,000.
Balasuriya also asked court to issue an order on the defendant, MTV, to hand over the copies of the film to him. The court issued notice returnable on February 12.
Attorneys-at-law Iranga Siriwardena and P. L. S. Bandara instructed by Champika S. Bandara appeared for Mr. Balasuriya.