Delhi High Court orders Central government to block 22 'rogue websites' streaming cricket matches

The Delhi High Court recently directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) and Department of Technology (DoT) to block 22 'rogue websites' illegally streaming various television channels and as well as cricket matches, France Ligue and the LaLiga [Star India Private Limited & Anr v CricHD SC & Ors]..In an interim order passed on August 2, Justice Prathiba M Singh ordered the Central government to issue blocking orders against these websites within 24 hours after which the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will block access to the websites and their mobile applications.“The DoT and MEITY, as also the ISPs, shall block the Defendant Nos. 1 to 22 websites. The said blocking orders shall be issued by the DoT within 24 hours after service of this order. Pursuant to the said blocking order/s, all the ISP’s, i.e. Defendant nos. 30 – 38, shall block access to the URL’s, as also the mobile applications within 24 hours and shall not permit the download of these applications or the streaming of the rogue websites,” the Court ordered..The Bench was dealing with a suit file by Star India seeking injunction against these websites from illegally broadcasting/streaming the upcoming Asia Cup cricket matches and its associated content.Star said that Asia Cup is to commence from August 31, 2023 and that it owns the tournament’s exclusive media rights for the period of 2018 to 2023.There is an apprehension that owing to the past conduct of these rogue websites, the said websites are likely to illegally stream and telecast the Asia Cup Cricketing events, Star contended..After considering the case, the Court said that there was no doubt that the websites in question are rogue and consist of pirated content.It, therefore, passed an injunction order.“Considering the investment which the Plaintiffs have made in acquiring the rights of these events, any illegal broadcasting would severely affect the monetary interest of the Plaintiffs, and also diminish the value of the rights of such sporting events. Accordingly, till the next date of hearing, the Defendant Nos. 1 to 22 and all others acting for or on their behalf, shall stand restrained from hosting, streaming, broadcasting, rebroadcasting, retransmitting or in any other manner communicating to the public, or disseminating to the public, any cricketing events, extracts, excerpts, highlights in relation to cricket matches relating to the Asia Cup 2022 commencing from 31st August, 2023 to 17th September, 2023.”.The Domain Name Registrars (DNRs) were also directed to block the domain names of these website and ordered to give complete details like name, address, IP address and KYC.“Mode of Payment along with payment details used for registration of domain name by the Registrant i.e., Defendant Nos. 1 to 22 (and such other websites which are discovered during the course of the proceedings and notified on Affidavit by the Plaintiffs to have been infringing he Plaintiffs' exclusive rights, copyrights and broadcast reproduction rights).”The Court further said that the DNRs shall provide the details of other websites registered by the 22 rogue websites in questions and the details of complaints received against these sites.The case will be considered next on December 19..Advocates Sidharth Chopra, Yatinder Garg, Akshay Maloo and Rimjhim Tiwari appeared for Star.No one appeared for the defendants..[Read Order]