New Delhi, March 26: In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court has issued a dynamic injunction favoring Viacom 18 Media Private Limited, restraining several unauthorized websites from streaming Indian Premier League (IPL) events for the year 2024.
Justice Sanjeev Narula emphasized the necessity of adapting legal measures to combat copyright infringement in the digital era.
Viacom 18, holding exclusive digital media rights within the Indian subcontinent and television rights overseas for IPL events from 2023 to 2027, petitioned the court against six rogue websites engaged in illegal broadcasting of IPL matches scheduled until the end of May.
The court’s order not only prohibits these platforms from hosting, streaming, or disseminating IPL content but also mandates Domain Name Registrars to suspend and lock the identified websites.
Telecom Service Providers have been directed to block access to these sites to safeguard Viacom 18’s copyright interests.
Acknowledging the evolving landscape of digital piracy, the court granted Viacom 18 the authority to report any new rogue websites engaging in similar illicit activities during the IPL season.
Justice Narula underscored the significance of IPL, highlighting its role not only as a sporting spectacle but also as a vital revenue source and entertainment avenue for the masses.
“Unauthorized dissemination, telecasting, or broadcasting of these events on various websites and digital platforms poses a significant threat to the plaintiff’s revenue streams,” stated Justice Narula, emphasizing the detrimental impact of such activities on Viacom 18’s substantial investments in IPL rights acquisition.
He further emphasized the accessibility of IPL matches through Viacom’s OTT platform ‘JioCinema’ across diverse digital devices, underscoring the peril posed by illicit streaming to Viacom 18’s investments and the broader implications for copyright law.
Keywords: Delhi High Court, dynamic injunction, Viacom 18, Indian Premier League, IPL piracy, copyright infringement, digital era, legal remedies, Justice Sanjeev Narula.
