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Pocket FM Seeks ₹85.7 Cr in Damages from Kuku FM Over Alleged Content Copying; Delhi HC Seeks Response

• ByStartupStory     |    July 12, 2025

The ongoing rivalry between audio content platforms Pocket FM and Kuku FM has escalated, with Pocket FM filing a ₹85.7 crore lawsuit against Kuku FM’s parent company, Mebigo Labs, over alleged copyright and trademark infringements.

The case, which was heard in the Delhi High Court, centers around claims that Kuku FM copied five of Pocket FM’s original audio series—including their formats, thumbnails, episode structures, and artwork. Pocket FM has sought a permanent injunction against the use of these materials and accused its rival of systematically replicating its content to confuse users and divert traffic over the past four years.

In its defense, Kuku FM dismissed the allegations as baseless and asserted that the shows in question were developed through independent research and creative input. The company requested two weeks to file a comprehensive reply and argued that the timing of Pocket FM’s legal moves appears “motivated,” especially as Kuku FM eyes an upcoming IPO.

The High Court acknowledged the complex nature of the dispute and directed Kuku FM to submit a detailed written response, including a Chartered Accountant-certified statement of revenues generated from the allegedly copied shows. Meanwhile, the court restrained Kuku FM from releasing any further episodes of the disputed series until further notice. The next hearing is scheduled for August 29, 2025.

The courtroom exchange revealed a “balanced approach” from both parties, prompting the court to hold off on any takedown orders or additional interim relief at this stage.

This latest lawsuit follows multiple legal confrontations between the two companies since 2022. A similar case was settled in December 2022 when Pocket FM accused Kuku FM of creating unauthorized summaries of books it exclusively owned. In May 2025, Pocket FM also obtained an injunction against Kuku FM for allegedly copying an audio sign-off identical to its own.

As both platforms continue to battle for dominance in the growing audio entertainment space, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for content originality, IP enforcement, and competition in India’s digital content ecosystem.

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