Delhi High Court restrains piracy websites from streaming Drishyam: The Conclusion

The Delhi High Court recently granted an ex parte interim injunction in favour of the producers of Ajay Devgn-starrer ‘Drishyam: The Conclusion’, restraining rogue websites from allowing the film to be streamed or downloaded [Digital18 Media Private Limited Vs ssrmovies.style & Ors.].

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav passed the order on October 1 in a commercial suit filed by producer Digital18 Media Private Limited. The movie was released on October 2.

"Defendant nos. 1 to 9 or any person acting on their behalf are restrained from communicating, hosting, streaming, and/or making available for viewing and downloading, without authorization, on their websites or other platforms, through the internet in any manner whatsoever, the plaintiff’s upcoming Film," the Court directed.

Digital18 Media Private Limited earlier told the Court that it was apprehensive about illegal streaming of the movie by rogue websites, including the nine defendants named in the suit. It added that the infringing websites had previously pirated ‘Jolly LLB 3’.

The Court said a case for grant of ad interim ex parte injunction was made out and directed the Domain Name Registrars (DNRs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to immediately suspend or block the suspect domain names.

“The concerned government officials shall also ensure that this order has fully been adhered to,” the Court directed. 

It also granted liberty to the producer to approach the concerned ISPs, DNRs or government authority in case it comes across piracy by any new website or infringement by a person who is not a party to the suit. The authorities were directed to ensure that action is taken in this regard.

The Court listed the matter for further hearing on December 3. The interim injunction shall continue till then.

Advocates Sidharth Chopra, Yatinder Garg, Akshay, Priyansh, Manish and Vinayak appeared for the producer.

Central government standing counsel Satya Ranjan Swain, panel counsel Naveen Dedha with advocates Sanskar and Tushar appeared for the Union of India.

[Read Order]