In Brief
Star India and other broadcasters challenged TRAI regulations and a tariff order governing how TV channels must be packaged, priced, and distributed. They argued TRAI lacked authority to regulate 'content', which they claimed fell exclusively under the Copyright Act. The Supreme Court held that TRAI's power to regulate 'broadcasting services' extends to pricing, packaging, and distribution terms—not just 'carriage'. The Court found the impugned rules do not regulate content itself but regulate service delivery in the public interest. The Court harmonized the TRAI Act (public interest) with the Copyright Act (property protection) by holding that where inconsistent, the TRAI Act prevails. Discounts on bouquets and pricing caps protect consumer choice and prevent perverse pricing; they do not infringe copyright. The appeals were dismissed.
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