Dorje Teas, a subscription-based tea startup, finds itself in legal trouble after Sony Pictures issued a copyright infringement notice. The notice was prompted by Dorje Teas’ use of clips from their own pitch in YouTube and Meta advertisements.
While the business-focused reality TV series Shark Tank India has proven transformative for numerous entrepreneurs, particularly startups, the narrative takes a different turn for Dorje Teas. This subscription-based tea startup, renowned for delivering fresh-from-farm and organic Darjeeling Tea to customers across India, finds itself in a legal predicament after receiving a notice from Sony Pictures Networks India.
Co-founded by Sparsh Agarwal, Dorje Teas made waves on the Shark Tank India platform last year, securing investments totaling Rs 30 lakh from Anupam Mittal, Peyush Bansal, and Vineeta Singh for a 15 per cent equity stake, valuing the company at Rs 2 crore. Recently, Agarwal revealed on LinkedIn that they had been served a legal notice by Shark Tank India for utilizing clips from their own pitch.
Agarwal elaborated that the notice cited copyright infringement concerning the use of these clips in YouTube and Meta advertisements. Interestingly, Dorje Teas is not the sole recipient of such notices from Sony Pictures. “We’re not alone—every startup featured on Shark Tank has been targeted,” Agarwal observed.
“While I acknowledge the legal framework supporting it, I fail to comprehend the rationale behind their actions. Companies like Dorje Teas, Skippi, Assembly, Perfora, Hoovu Fresh, Beyond Snack, Wakao Foods, Nasher Miles, and numerous others invest significant sums each month to amplify Shark Tank content, effectively providing free publicity and brand recognition for Shark Tank India,” he remarked.
Describing it as a misguided business decision by a Sony executive or legal representative, Agarwal further emphasized that it contradicts the core principle of promoting small startups.
“Moreover, Shark Tank Season 3 has been dedicated to nurturing the startup ecosystem in India and fostering a new India. But how will we achieve this vision with such actions?” he queried in a selfie video.
While Agarwal found support on social media, some argued that Sony’s actions were technically justified. “Dear Sparsh, it’s important to recognize that in this context, ‘You are the content.’ Your role in content creation is significant. You shared the content featuring you on your social media platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), but not on Sony’s social channels. Essentially, the traffic they should have garnered would have been directed to you. You are monetizing your social channels with the content they produce,” commented a content strategist.
“In the content industry, the one who shares the sneak preview first garners more attention. Additionally, you might have signed a waiver form granting them perpetual rights for the content they captured. Review your contract or recall if you signed any digital form during the shooting that stipulated this,” they added.
“You are investing lakhs to promote Shark Tank, while Shark Tank is investing crores to organize and promote the show, which in turn promotes your brand. It’s all about shifting perspectives,” noted another user.