In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the Competition Commission's finding that an association of artists and technicians (Coordination Committee) and a producers' association (EIMPA) violated competition law by collectively pressuring television channels not to broadcast a Hindi serial dubbed in Bengali. Though nominally trade unions, these bodies acted as associations of enterprises engaged in film and television production and distribution. Their coordinated efforts—including threatening non-cooperation—restricted market supply and consumer choice. The court rejected the argument that language protection or trade union rights exempted them from competition law. The relevant market encompassed the entire film and television industry of West Bengal, not merely broadcast services. The court held that collective conduct foreclosing entry and restricting supply violated the Competition Act, regardless of formal or informal nature.",
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.