In order to prevent unapproved websites from broadcasting, hosting, streaming, showing, distributing, or authorising ICC Events on any electronic or digital platform, the Delhi High Court has granted Star India a dynamic+ injunction against these websites.
According to PTI, Justice Sanjeev Narula issued an interim ruling in a lawsuit brought by Star India against rogue websites that were suspected of disseminating cricket matches without permission on their platforms.
“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.
According to the complaint, several rogue betting websites are allegedly engaged in the unlawful broadcasting of live sports events, along with providing online betting and gaming services in violation of the Public Gaming Act of 1867.
According to the court ruling, when initial injunctions are obtained against a subset of websites as listed in the plaint, it is often the case that many additional rogue websites thereafter surface. These websites continue to stream sports events illegally. These rogue websites have been effectively injuncted and taken down through the dynamic injunctions given by this Court in response to these continued violations. 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."
