NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday allowed Vijay Television Private Limited to carry on its Vijay Awards 2011 ceremony, but asked the photocopy of the trophy image to be presented before it to see how closely it resembles the Oscar trophy.
Justice G.P. Mittal was hearing a petition filed by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which organises awards functions, including the world renowned Oscar awards ceremony in Hollywood.
The AMPAS alleged that the trophy presented at the Vijay awards for the Tamil film industry organised by Vijay TV and Star India is substantially and deceptively similar to the Oscar trophy.
"The impugned statuette of Vijay TV violates the plaintiff's intellectual property right in the Oscar statuette," said the AMPAS.
The AMPAS submitted that it requested changes in the Vijay TV award trophy. The channel made two changes but declined a third change.
The court said: "It is going to have international ramification. The statuette must be produced before the court. I cannot pass the order without even seeing the statuette of both the parties."
However, the court did not ask Vijay TV not to hold the award ceremony. It has directed all the parties to appear before the mediation centre of the Delhi High Court July 4.
"Make settlement before the mediation centre about the changes to made in any of the trophies," said the court, adding that if that is not settled, then the matter will be heard July 13.
"On July 13, both the parties must produce the photocopy of the statuette that is being given during the award ceremony," said Justice Mittal.
The Vijay TV trophy shows a man holding a shield to the chest while the Oscar trophy has a sword held to the chest.
The AMPAS also submitted before the court that Vijay TV's sister concern, Star Movies, has the broadcast licence of the Oscar programme thereby increasing the possible confusion in the minds of the viewers.
The AMPAS has sought a damage of Rs.20 lakh be passed against Vijay TV and Star India.