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D.Gowthami Reddy, Partner, M/s.Pentallect Partners

IP UNFOLD MONTHLY IP INFO-APRIL, 2025

1. Viva Holdings, along with its 37 subsidiaries, has signed the Ecommerce MOU to strengthen protection of its digital content and retail products against piracy. IPOPHL sees this as a major move encouraging more creatives to protect their IP rights. Viva emphasized that piracy threatens a large portion of its revenue, and stronger collaboration with platforms is crucial for sustaining the creative industry.   2. The USPTO has granted a patent to Ramper, a Web3 startup under Vietnam's Ninety Eight, for its social login feature that simplifies access to Web3 apps using platforms like Google and Facebook. This innovation addresses accessibility barriers in Web3 and signals strong progress for Vietnam’s blockchain sector. The patent also highlights Vietnamese startups’ growing global ambitions in the tech space.   3. The Supreme Court of New Zealand ruled that while copyright is relationship property under the PRA, Sirpa Alalääkkölä retains sole ownership and control of her artwo...
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D.Gowthami Reddy, Partner, M/s.Pentallect Partners

'INDIAN THATHA'- A MONITISABLE IP

 



The movie ‘INDIAN’ directed by Director Shankar; released in the year 1996 was a mammoth block buster. Actor Kamal Hassan in the role of the daring & dashing old man or what the fans fondly call as ‘INDIAN THATHA’ out did himself (naturally). The celebrated character ‘INDIAN THATHA’ with the very intriguing costume had also become quite famous. Nevertheless, the potential of the character as a monitisable intellectual property is quite under played by the makers. However, the characters potential has been clearly displayed in the sequel ‘INDIAN 2’ in its grand and pompous song THATHA VARARU. That being said, I wonder whether the authors are contemplating to exploit the character sooner or later. If the character is copyrighted, the protection given under Indian copyright law for an artistic work is author's lifetime plus 60 years after their death. Which means the character/artistic work is awarded protection for nearly 120 years. 

In my opinion, I can clearly see a native super hero in ‘INDIAN THATHA’ and other prominent characters from that banner with an immense potential to  entertain and mesmerise  young, old and little fans through their adventures of saving people in distress. Finally yet importantly, merchandise is always an big avenue for exploiting certain types of intellectual properties; in the given case it is the ‘INDIAN THATHA’. 

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