Video conferencing apps like ZOOM, Google Meet have come to the rescue of the public who are distanced from their near and dear ones owing to the pandemic and social distancing.  With such apps gaining popularity, Reliance Jio launched its own app JioMeet as a direct rival and an Indian alternative to Zoom.  With an all-time high zeal to achieve “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, JioMeet has made a timely launch in India. However, with the launch of the app, came a controversy that the user interface of JioMeet was the exact copy of Zoom. Several Twitter users highlighted that it was a screen imitation of Zoom.  In a statement issued to the media, Zoom India Head Sameer Raje, mentioned about being in talks with their legal team regarding the possible legal action against JioMeet.[1] 

JioMeet, like Zoom, supports HD audio and video conference call, scheduling meetings, adding up to 100 participants, and screen sharing. A closer look at both the applications showed that except for the font and the colour combinations, the app uses the same phrases, icons, and designs as the Zoom app.[2]  With such uncanny resemblance, the question arises that whether JioMeet infringes on the copyright of Zoom.

  Under the Indian Copyright Law, computer programs, computer software or operating system that is a set of instructions expressed in words, codes, schemes, or any other form are protected. There is no explicit clarity on whether it protects the user interface.  However, the Ministry of Electronics and Information technology provides an interpretation that helps to solve this confusion. It states that:

“Copyright protects the form of expression and can be used to protect source code and the object code of a computer program. Furthermore, the computer program is protected as a literary work by the Indian Copyright Act and hence, the look and feel of Graphical User Interface (GUI) can be protected under the Copyrights.”  [3]

 However, despite the protection, the mere presence of icons would not be protected as they can simply indicate the function of the application. Copyright law does not protect mere ideas but protects the expression of the idea.  Thus, the way in which such icons are arranged or the way they are related and connected to different elements of the application or the design encoded in a program for the efficient functioning of Zoom is protected by copyright.

On a detailed study of the graphical user interface, JioMeet is a literal imitation of the protected elements of Zoom with a few cosmetic changes. An expression of idea will violate copyright law if it is an exact imitation of the original with minor changes.[4]  Except for minor changes in the font and colour combinations, the text and arrangement of the features are almost identical. An ordinary man on viewing both the apps is likely to be confused and be under an unmistakable impression that JioMeet is a copy of Zoom, which is infringement.[5]  Hence if Zoom files a copyright infringement suit against JioMeet, it will hold a stronger stand and even though JioMeet has made new changes, this will not absolve it of its liability for infringement.

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[1] Kritti Bhalla, ‘Reliance JioMeet could face legal action over copy pasting Zoom, 9^th July 2020 https://inc42.com/buzz/reliance-jiomeet-could-face-legal-action-over-copy-pasting-zoom/

[2] Kritti Bhalla, ‘Reliance’s JioMeet ridiculed at Launch for copy pasting Zoom’, 3rd July 2020 https://inc42.com/buzz/reliances-jiomeet-ridiculed-at-launch-for-copy-pasting-zoom/

[3] Ministry of Electronics and Information technology  https://www.meity.gov.in/content/copyright

[4] Amartya Bag, ‘Copyright Violations In Cyberspace- Offences and Protection’, September 4 , 2014  https://blog.ipleaders.in/copyright-violations-in-cyberspace-offences-and-protection-mechanisms/#:~:text=The%20general%20rules%20of%20copyright,constitute%20violation%20of%20copyright%20law.

[5] R.G Anand vs M/S. Delux Films & Ors [18 August, 1978 AIR 1613, 1979 SCR (1) 218]