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Events firm Gravity takes Hakuhodo India to Court Over Alleged Copyright Infringement
by EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | August 17, 2020 | News
Gravity Entertainment Private Limited EEMA Hakuhodo Sync Private Limited Hakuhodo Wyng Private Limited Hakuhodo Lync Private Limited
Gravity Entertainment Private Limited, an event agency based in Gurugram, has filed a civil suit (commercial) against Hakuhodo Sync Private Limited, Hakuhodo Lync Private Limited and Hakuhodo Wyng Private Limited.
The case has been filed under the Copyright Act (1957) and the Civil Procedure Code (1908). The first hearing by the District and Sessions Judge, New Delhi, PHC (Patiala House Court) was on 14th August and the second hearing is due today, 17th August 2020, according to the official website of the district court, New Delhi.
Gravity Entertainment refused to reveal further details about the suit since the matter is subjudice.
A written response from the agency reads: “We cannot keep allowing this to happen, it’s a small industry, ideas are our only currency. We have to call the bullies out, we have to put an end to our hard work being usurped just because we allow them to have the upper hand. It is unacceptable and someone has to start the fight. Time to reclaim our self-respect.”
Sources close to the development inform that the issue stemmed from a pitch collaboration.
EVENTFAQS Media reached out to the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) for the industry body’s take on such instances. Gravity Entertainment is not a member of EEMA.

Major KJ Singh Gurna, Treasurer - EEMA, and Director, Bellset Entertainment, said that EEMA will support all members in fighting such malpractices. In the case of Gravity, whose suit is sub-judice, or any other agency, the industry body wants to highlight bad practices with a view to ending ‘exploitation’ of event players.
“We want to support the event agencies who are trying to fight such exploitation from bigger agencies or clients and normally event agencies do not want to fight they let it be and end up on the receiving end of this,” he said.
“It is very common practice these days where a full idea is copied or the client will call four or five agencies for a pitch and take ideas from all of them and pick the best of the ideas and then award work to their regular agency or do it themselves with their vendors,” he added.
He acknowledged that work is needed in the direction of protecting ideas, where they can be registered prior and protected from being stolen.
Update on 18th August at 1400hrs: The next hearing of the suit is on 24th August 2020 as per the official court website.
(An e-mail has been sent to Elvis Sequiera, COO, Hakuhodo Sync. This story will be updated with responses if and when received.)
Gravity Entertainment Private Limited, has filed a civil suit (commercial) against Hakuhodo Sync Private Limited, Hakuhodo Lync Private Limited and Hakuhodo Wyng Private Limited.