Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Sharma dismissed actress-turned-author Seema Seth's plea for lodging the FIR against Bhandarkar, Ronnie Screwala and Ajay Mongia, saying "there cannot be a copyright in an idea or a plot".
"There cannot be a copyright in an idea or plot, subject matter, themes or legendary facts. Therefore, no direction is given for registration of the FIR.
"In such cases, violation of copyright must be proved by a clear evidence. So, a prima facie case is not made out against them (Bhandarkar, Screwala and Mongia)," the court said.
While dismissing the plea for lodging of the FIR, the court, however, decided to hear Seth on the issue of copy right violation by Bhandarkar and others, fixed August 8 for it and asked her to produce more evidence to substantiate her charges on the issue.
"Bring more evidence before the court so that it can cross check the plot, idea and sequence of the movie before coming to the conclusion of the case," the court said.
Seth, in her plea, had contended Bhandarkar indulged in "clear-cut violation of the Copyright Act". She has also made Ronnie Screwala of UTV Motion Pictures a party in the case and has sought Rs 2.5 crore as compensation.
Ronnie Screwala is the producer of movie 'Fashion' and Ajay Mongia the writer.
Seeking a direction for lodging of an FIR against Bhandarkar and others under "appropriate" section of the IPC and for violation of Copyright Act, Seth had sought expeditious hearing of her case. (MORE)
