The apex court has stayed the contempt proceedings against Netflix, initiated by the Karnataka HC for the streaming of ‘Wild Karnataka’, a documentary film.
The HC had ruled not to stream the documentary as it was found that the Karnataka Forest Department’s (KFD) resources were used without proper compensation. The court had prohibited any use, reproduction, broadcast, marketing or selling of the film and its raw footage. Still, the streaming giant streamed the film until December 2023.
Supreme Court stayed the proceedings, directing Netflix to deposit the earnings from the film into a fund for wildlife conservation. Netflix has tons of cases filed against its shows and movies in India. But, this is one of the rare incidents in which the court has charged it with contempt.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, while hearing the case, asked ‘How can Netflix be held for contempt? The footage was immediately removed. Karnataka has so many important matters; why pursue a contempt case against Netflix?’
