Delhi High Court orders blocking of websites illegally streaming Undekhi web series

The Delhi High Court recently ordered the blocking of several rogue websites illegally streaming and enabling downloading of the crime-thriller web series ‘Undekhi’ [Applause Entertainment Private Limited v WWW.9XMovies.Com.Tw & Ors]..In an order passed on May 20, Justice Sanjeev Narula ordered the internet service providers (ISPs) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology as well as Department of Technology to issue necessary directions for blocking the websites.“Defendants No. 1, 2, 14 to 19, and/or any person acting on their behalf, are restrained from communicating, hosting, streaming, screening, disseminating, reproducing, distributing or making available to the public for viewing/downloading, without authorization, of any part of the Plaintiff’s “UNDEKHI” web series/show in which the Plaintiff holds copyright, on any electronic or digital platform, in any manner whatsoever,” the Court said..Justice Narula passed the order while dealing with a suit filed by Applause Entertainment Private Limited, the producers of the show.The Court was told that the show's third season was released on May 10 on Over-the-Top (OTT) platform Sony Liv. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that the show had been leaked on multiple websites for free download..The Bench considered the case and passed the blocking orders.It also allowed the producers to file applications for the impleadment of mirror/ redirect or alphanumeric websites that are found to be engaging in similar activities.“Such applications shall be listed before the Joint Registrar, who, on being satisfied with the material placed on record, shall issue the appropriate directions to the internet service providers and the Defendants No. 12 and 13, DoT and MeitY respectively," the Court ordered. .Advocates Harsh Kaushik, Anushree Rauta, Shwetank Tripathi, Deepank Singhal, Mohit Bangwal and Y Prakash from ANM Global appeared for Applause Entertainment. .[Read Order]