Technology, Media and Telecom

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 ("BNSS") bill which aims to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 ("CrPC"), was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 11, 2023 along with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023. The bills have been introduced with the intent of freeing India from the shadow of colonisation, however a plain reading of the BNSS bill reveals that it has retained a majority of the provisions of the soon to be erstwhile CrPC. ......

Among the three bills presented in the Lok Sabha namely, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 (hereinreferred to as the "BSB") emerged as a significant legislative proposal aimed at replacing the antiquated Indian Evidence Act of 1872 (hereinafter referred to as the "Evidence Act"). The BSB introduces a notable alteration in the admissibility of electronic evidence within the judicial system by encompassing "electronic and digital records" under the definition of "Document". ......

Financial influencers, commonly called 'finfluencers', are persons who provide information and/or advice on various financial topics such as investing in securities, personal finance, banking products, insurance, real estate investment, etc. through social/digital media platforms/channels, and have the ability to influence the financial decisions of their followers. ......

On August 10, 2023, the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai ("NCLT") greenlit the merger of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited ("Zee") with Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (formerly Sony Pictures Networks India) ("Sony") (hereinafter referred to as the "Zee-Sony Merger"). Following the merger, the resulting entity will be the second largest entertainment network after Disney Star. ......

On July 31, 2023, the Parliament of India, gave green light to the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (the "Bill") to amend the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (the "Act") and the Bill received the President's assent on August 4, 2023. The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 (the "Amendment Act") has been passed after numerous versions and revisions of the draft bill, bringing long sought respite to film producers in the country. ......

With the world available at your fingertips 24 hours a day and access to an estimated 1.13 billion websites available in the public domain, consumers are spoiled for choice. In the modern-day equivalent of the space race, engagement is the name of the game, with entire teams dedicated to creating the most addictive and easy-to-use platforms and applications. ......

On May 16, 2023, the Ministry of Finance (“MoF”) notified the Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) (Amendment) Rules, 2023 (“2023 Amendment”) to omit Rule 7 of the Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000. ......

With the development of blockchain technology, artificial intelligence and virtual digital assets, several concerns have been raised regarding the plethora of legal and ethical challenges that are likely to arise from development of these technologies, and how they will interact with the rights of individuals granted under law. ......

On April 26, 2023, the Union Cabinet approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 ("Policy"). A press release issued on the same date ("Press Release") detailed the backdrop leading up to this approval and what lies in store for the future. ... ...