Bombay High Court Orders Flying Beast to Remove Videos Amid Castrol India Copyright Dispute

Keywords: Bombay High Court, copyright infringement, Gaurav Taneja, Flying Beast, Castrol India, Castronomy campaign, influencer marketing

The Bombay High Court, in a significant interim ruling, directed popular YouTuber Gaurav Taneja, known as “Flying Beast,” to remove two videos from his YouTube channel following allegations of copyright infringement by Castrol India Ltd. Justice Riyaz Chagla issued the order on December 4, 2024, siding with Castrol India in its ongoing dispute with the content creator.

Background of the Dispute

The controversy originated from Castrol India’s Castronomy marketing campaign, which was launched in April 2024. As part of the initiative, Castrol India collaborated with flying video bloggers, including Gaurav Taneja and American YouTuber Eric Decker (Airrack), for an innovative zero-gravity experience in the United States. The campaign aimed to boost Castrol’s brand visibility by showcasing the participants’ unique experiences.

Under the agreement, Castrol India covered the participants’ travel and accommodation expenses in exchange for promotional content that highlighted the campaign and its association with the brand.

However, on October 29 and November 1, 2024, Taneja uploaded two videos titled “Ready to go in Zero Gravity with @airrack” and “Flying in Zero Gravity” on his channel, allegedly without crediting Castrol India or referencing the campaign. According to Castrol’s complaint, these videos neither acknowledged Castrol’s sponsorship nor aligned with the campaign’s promotional goals. Castrol pursued legal action after repeated requests for the videos’ removal were ignored.

Court’s Observations and Interim Order

Justice Riyaz Chagla, while granting interim relief to Castrol India, observed that the company appeared to be the rightful producer and copyright owner of the content captured during the zero-gravity experience. The court emphasized that Taneja’s unauthorized use of the videos on his social media platforms constituted a violation of Castrol’s intellectual property rights.

The court acknowledged Castrol’s attempts to resolve the dispute amicably, including offering Taneja ₹5 lakh in compensation for taking down the videos. However, Taneja’s refusal to comply with these efforts prompted Castrol to escalate the matter legally.

As part of the interim order, Taneja has been directed to remove the contested videos from all social media platforms. Justice Chagla underlined the importance of honoring copyright and contractual obligations, particularly in influencer marketing collaborations.

Implications of the Order

This case has broader implications for India’s burgeoning influencer marketing industry, especially concerning intellectual property and content ownership disputes. Castrol India’s Castronomy campaign was an innovative attempt to enhance brand visibility through experiential marketing, but the fallout with Taneja underscores the complexities of managing influencer compliance in such initiatives.

The court’s observations highlight the critical need for influencers and brands to establish clear contractual agreements regarding content creation, ownership, and usage rights. Justice Chagla’s ruling serves as a reminder that creators must respect the intellectual property of their collaborators, even in informal partnerships.

Future Course of Action

The matter will now proceed to a detailed hearing in the coming weeks. While the court’s initial observations favor Castrol India, a final judgment is awaited. The case could potentially set a significant precedent for influencer marketing and copyright disputes in India, reinforcing the legal obligations of content creators and the protection of brand rights in collaborative campaigns.

For now, the court’s interim order marks an important victory for Castrol India, reaffirming the need for robust compliance mechanisms in the influencer ecosystem.

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