Muzzamil Hussain, a content creator has accused Pakistan Television (PTV) World of copyright infringement for broadcasting his tourism video footage—originally uploaded on its Youtube channel ‘MHtoori’—on national television without his consent.
Talking to SAMAA Digital, Muzzamil said he was shocked to know that his two years of video regarding tourism promotion of Pakistan was used for PTV World.
“I was pressing the button and suddenly I came to see my YouTube channel footage on PTV. I was surprised that no one asked me for my consent prior to broadcasting the video.”
Muzzamil is a networking engineer, who made video content to pursue his passion. He said the original footage is three minutes and fifteen seconds. “PTV World aired the video footage on 30th September around 2 pm.”
Mr Atif Bokhari from PTV World did not respond to the message and call from SAMAA Digital.
Serves legal notice to PTV
Muzzamil Hussain, who operates under the alias "MHTOORI," has served a legal notice to Pakistan Television (PTV) World of copyright infringement. Jan claims that PTV World broadcasted a video on September 30, 2023, without obtaining his explicit permission, using clips from his Facebook page. He alleges that the video was created from various clips posted on his Facebook page in March 2019.
He has over 300,000 followers on his Facebook page along with a tourism fan base on Twitter and YouTube.
The contested video, allegedly taken without permission, comprises clips filmed at various locations across Pakistan, showcasing the nation's natural beauty and cultural heritage. These locations include Gwadar, Khanpur Dam, Swabi KPK, Islamabad College University, Okara, and many others.
The photographs used in the video were taken at picturesque spots like the Skardu Cold Desert, Lulusar Lake, Atabad Lake, Rakaposhi, and Kalam, among others.
Muhammad Jan asserted that PTV World's unauthorized use of his content infringes upon his rights as per the Copyright Ordinance, 1962 (Ordinance No. lOCKIV of 1962). He claims sole ownership and copyright over his Facebook page, Twitter, and YouTube channels. All licenses and intellectual property rights are attributed to him, in accordance with Sections 56 and 57A of the Copyright Ordinance.
He demanded: “Immediate cessation of the broadcast, distribution, or any further use of the contested video. A written acknowledgment of the unauthorized use and a formal apology to Muhammad Jan. Compensation of Rs200 million for the unauthorized creation and broadcast of the video, in line with the Copyright Ordinance, 1962.
The notice provides a 70-day window for PTV World to respond. Failure to comply with these demands may lead to legal proceedings under the Copyright Ordinance to protect Muhammad Jan's rights and seek the specified compensation.
