In the latest development in India’s intensifying audio-streaming rivalry, the Delhi High Court has stepped in to pause the release of new episodes from five of Kuku FM’s audio series. The interim order, issued on July 10, comes in response to a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by competitor Pocket FM.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 29, directing Kuku FM not to publish new episodes of the contested shows until then. The directive marks yet another chapter in the ongoing legal battle between the two platforms, which have clashed repeatedly in court over intellectual property (IP) concerns.
Credits: Inc 42
The Battle Lines: $10 Million at Stake
Pocket FM’s parent company has sued Mebigo Labs, which owns Kuku FM, alleging large-scale copyright infringement and IP theft. The lawsuit accuses Kuku FM of copying significant portions of content from five popular Pocket FM shows — Super Yoddha, Insta Empire, Amrapali, Vashikaran, and The Immortal Warrior.
According to Pocket FM, the alleged infringement is not minor—it includes the “wholesale lifting” of core creative elements such as themes, story arcs, character dynamics, and even the dialogues. The company is seeking around $10 million (₹85.7 crore) in damages along with a permanent injunction to stop Kuku FM from “continuing such infringing activities.”
‘Aage Ki Kahani Jaane Ke Liye…’
One of the most damning claims made by Pocket FM involves the show Insta Millionaire, which was previously the subject of a copyright case in May 2025. In that instance, Pocket FM alleges that Kuku FM copied the content so closely that episodes even ended with the line: “Aage ki kahani jaane ke liye, log in kariye Pocket FM par” (To know what happens next, log in to Pocket FM).
Senior advocate Amit Sibal, representing Pocket FM alongside law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, argued in court that this isn’t just inspiration—it’s blatant plagiarism. “This is wholesale infringement of titles with an entire series of hundreds of episodes,” he said.
The court has now asked Kuku FM to furnish full details of the allegedly infringing content.
Not the First Time
This is far from the first clash between the two platforms. Pocket FM claims to have filed four previous cases against Kuku FM over similar issues. The current petition points to a pattern of repeated and willful infringement, describing Kuku FM’s actions as amounting to unfair trade practices, tortious interference, and even inducement to breach contracts.
Pocket FM has also requested the appointment of a local commissioner to conduct a detailed forensic investigation and ensure that Kuku FM does not tamper with potential evidence.
Titans of the Audioverse
Both Pocket FM and Kuku FM have emerged as giants in India’s rapidly growing audio entertainment space, offering serialized fiction, self-help, and educational content in regional languages. Recently, both have expanded into short-form video content, seeking to tap into the micro-drama trend among Gen Z users.
Founded in 2018, Pocket FM has raised $196.5 million to date, with Lightspeed and Stepstone Group among its prominent investors. Its platform has seen significant traction in Tier II and III cities.
Kuku FM, also launched in 2018, counts marquee investors like Nandan Nilekani’s Fundamentum Partnership, Google, IFC, and Krafton. It has raised around $73 million so far and is reportedly in advanced talks to secure another $70 million from Granite Asia.
Credits: Moneycontrol
What’s Next?
With the court ordering a temporary freeze on five major audio series, Kuku FM now finds itself in a tough spot. While the company has yet to issue a formal statement, the broader industry will be watching closely as this case could set a precedent in India’s digital IP law space.
As audio content continues to boom in India, the battle for originality — and ownership — is only getting louder.
