Orissa HC Rules Copyright Infringement Dispute Arbitrable, Appoints Arbitrator

The Orissa High Court, in Shri Binaya Kumar Naik v. Sanjay Kumar Naik & Anr., held that disputes regarding copyright infringement are arbitrable. 

The petitioner sought the appointment of an arbitrator under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, which was opposed by the other party citing the Supreme Court's decision in Vidya Drolia v. Durga Trading Corporation (2020). 

However, the court clarified that Vidya Drolia did not rule out copyright infringement claims from arbitration. Rejecting the opposition's contention, the court allowed the petition and appointed an arbitrator to resolve the dispute.