Delhi HC Denies Razorpay Interim Relief in Ad Copying Suit vs. PayU

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AuthorAditi Singh|Published at:
Delhi HC Denies Razorpay Interim Relief in Ad Copying Suit vs. PayU
Overview

Delhi High Court declined Razorpay's plea for an interim injunction against rival PayU over an advertising campaign. The court found significant material differences between the two fintech firms' campaigns after reviewing video evidence. This ruling denies Razorpay immediate legal recourse in the ongoing dispute, with further hearings scheduled.

Court Dismisses Razorpay's Bid for Interim Injunction

The Delhi High Court on March 20, 2026, declined to grant Razorpay an immediate interim injunction against competitor PayU in a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement of advertising campaigns. Razorpay accused PayU of copying its distinctive 'IPL 2025 founders campaign,' which showcased 37 entrepreneurs. Razorpay argued PayU's subsequent campaign mimicked its unique stylised composite video format, visual treatment, and storytelling structure, featuring 36 founders with comparable sequencing. Senior Advocate Chander Lall, representing Razorpay, contended that PayU had copied the 'specific manner of expression' and protectable artistic elements, including visual setup and founder positioning.

PayU's Defense and Court's Prima Facie Assessment

PayU, through Senior Advocate Rajeev Mehra, disputed the allegations, arguing Razorpay's case relied on selective screenshots rather than complete video comparisons. PayU maintained its content was a documentary-style series showcasing entrepreneurs, fundamentally different in purpose and execution from Razorpay's commercial campaign. The court, after viewing both sets of videos, indicated that the initial impression from screenshots did not hold when full content was examined. Justice Jyoti Singh observed that, at a prima facie level, the two campaigns appeared materially different in presentation, structure, and messaging. Consequently, the Court found it inappropriate to grant an interim injunction without complete pleadings and scheduled further hearings for March 30, 2026.

Next Steps in the Legal Battle

This decision means PayU can continue its advertising campaign while the full legal proceedings unfold. Razorpay is permitted to file a rejoinder after PayU submits its reply. The ongoing dispute highlights the intense competition and intellectual property concerns within India's rapidly growing fintech sector. Investors will monitor future court proceedings for potential shifts in market dynamics between these payment giants.

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