Trouble brewing for RGV?

T-Series releases facts on the MOU with RGV.

1. On 13.6.2006 Ram Gopal Varma in his capacity as director of Ram Gopal Varma Films Pvt. Ltd. executed MOU/Assignment Deed in respect of 14 films mentioned therein in favour of SCIL.

2. As per the said MOU/Assignment Deed copyright in respect of sound recordings and home video rights was assigned in favour of SCIL.

3. Thereafter the aforesaid agreement was acted upon and audio & video rights in respect of four films namely Darwaza Bandh rakho, Shiva, Nishabd and Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag were exploited by SCIL. Due consideration in lieu of the same was paid to Ram Gopal Varma and the same was receipted and acknowledged by him.

4. After that vide letter dated 18th July 2007 RGV requested SCIL that rights in respect of the film "GO" should be relinquished in his favour. In the same letter he confirmed that rights in respect of all the remaining unreleased films continue to remain with SCIL.

5. For the first time on 14th Nov. 2007 RGV's counsel sent a notice for termination of the MOU/Assignment Deed which was appropriately replied by SCIL's counsel vide reply dated 26th Nov. 2007. It was brought to their notice in the reply that consideration for forthcoming films already stood paid and therefore RGV could not unilaterally terminate the MOU/Assignment Deed.

6. Subsequent to the above no rejoinder was received from RGV's end and instead they started filing caveats in various courts all across the country including the Civil courts at New Delhi, Mumbai and Noida and High Courts at Mumbai and New Delhi.

7. In order to protect its business and commercial interest SCIL filed a "Suit for Declaration, Specific Performance of Contract for Assignment of Copyright, Permanent Injunction etc." on 23rd jan, 2008 in the Civil Court at Noida since the cause of action arose at Noida as the MOU/Assignment Deed was signed and executed in Noida.

8. Instead of filing a reply to the above suit RGV has been going to press claiming that documents are forged and fabricated. He has not specified exactly which document is forged and fabricated. How can an agreement for 14 films which stands acted upon in respect of 4 films suddenly become forged or fabricated in respect of remaining films.

9. From media reports it is gathered that subsequent to the filing of civil suit against him he has filed a complaint with Jt. Commissioner Police (EOW), Mumbai. Thus instead of coming forward and filing a reply in the Noida Court he is attempting to scanadalise the issue which amounts to contempt of court for which SCIL shall be separately initiating action against him.

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