After filing a case against NBC Universal, UFO Movies and Real Image Media citing anticompetitive activities and cartelisation, digital cinema provider K Sera Sera Digital Cinema (KSS) has entered into an agreement with them over the right to screen the movie Fast and Furious 7 (FF7) on its network across the country. NBC Universal settled the matter by giving the digital content of FF7 under the Bombay High Court (Writ Petition No. 940/2015). The problem: - KSS alleged that NBC Universal’s decision to restrict the rights to digital conversion and distribution of FF7 to just two digital cinema providers in India, UFO Movies and Real Image Media, was anticompetitive and unfair. KSS alleged that the 3 companies abused their dominant power for not allowing theatres to install the server and projection equipment of their choice. - It claimed that NBC Universal had provided rights only to UFO Movies India and Real Image Media Technologies to release FF7 in the digital format, thereby violating the provisions of sections 3 and 4 under the Competition Act, 2002 (pdf). It added that since KSS was refused the move of converting FF7 to digital before screening, people were denied watching the movie at the cinemas. - KSS claimed that NBC Universal did not have any apprehension of copyright violation if KSS was allowed to process FF7 in its E-Cinema format and therefore had no reason to withhold KSS from conversion and exhibition of movies in its E-cinema format. Anticompetitive conduct leading to control & supply of…
