Hyderabad: The Delhi High Court has issued a ban on the unauthorised usage of the name, characters, and content from the popular television series, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The show's makers, who assert that it has been broadcasting for more than 16 years with approximately 4,000 episodes, claimed that various parties have been exploiting its identity, character images, and other elements for commercial purposes. This exploitation includes operating websites, marketing merchandise, and even distributing "sexually explicit and vulgar" videos on platforms like YouTube.
An interim order concerning a lawsuit was filed by the show's producer Justice Mini Pushkarna where he emphasised that failing to grant an ex parte ad interim injunction could result in significant and irreparable damage to the plaintiffs. The complainant, Neela Film Productions Pvt Ltd, affirmed its legal rights concerning multiple registered trademarks in India that are associated with the series and its characters. Some of these trademarks include titles such as Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Ooltah Chashmah, Taarak Mehta, Jethaalal, and Gokuldhaam, among others.
During the court proceedings, it was noted that the plaintiffs possess copyrights for various characters and animations. However, several entities have been found misusing these rights by selling merchandise like T-shirts, posters, and stickers that feature the images and catchphrases of the show's characters through various online platforms and e-commerce sites. Additionally, it was reported that content generated utilising artificial intelligence to replicate the characters, as well as related video games, has appeared without authorisation.