Illegal cricket streaming: Delhi HC restrains illegal broadcasting of ICC events

The Delhi High Court issued a dynamic+ injunction to Star India against unauthorized websites which prohibits these websites from transmitting, hosting, streaming, screening, distributing, or authorizing ICC Events on any electronic or digital platform.

Justice Sanjeev Narula passed the interim order on a lawsuit by Star India Private Limited against rogue websites which were likely to indulge in the unauthorised dissemination of cricket matches on their platforms, PTI reported.

“The short duration of these matches means that any delay in blocking access to rogue websites could lead to significant financial losses for the Plaintiff and an irreparable breach of their broadcast reproduction rights. Therefore, swift action to prevent such infringements is crucial to preserving the Plaintiff’s investment in the broadcasting rights and maintaining their copyright protections,” Justice said.

The complaint stated that there are various rogue betting websites which are stated to be illegally offering online betting and gambling services, in contravention to the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and for this purpose they are also indulging in illegal streaming of live sporting events.

The court order noted, in prior instances, when initial injunctions were issued against a limited number of websites as specified in the plaint, it is frequently found that many more rogue websites subsequently emerge. These sites persist in unlawfully broadcasting sporting events. In response to these ongoing violations, such rogue websites have been effectively injuncted and taken down through the dynamic injunctions granted by this Court. This proactive judicial approach ensures that as new infringing sites emerge, they are swiftly addressed, thereby protecting the rights of content owners, the order stated.

"This not only deters future infringements but also reinforces the commitment to enforce copyright laws diligently."

The order added, "During the currency of the ICC Events, if any further websites are discovered which are illegally streaming and communicating content over which the Plaintiff has rights, the Plaintiff is given liberty to communicate the details of such websites to the DoT and MeitY for issuance of blocking orders, and simultaneously to the ISPs for blocking the said websites, so as to ensure that these websites can be blocked on a real time basis there is no considerable delay. Upon receiving the said intimation from the Plaintiff, the ISPs shall take steps to immediately block the rogue websites in question. Likewise, the DoT and MeitY shall also issue blocking orders immediately upon the Plaintiff communicating the details of the websites which are illegally streaming the ICC Event."