The Delhi High Court has ordered suspension of at least thirty websites which allegedly allowed users to download copyrighted content from various streaming platforms [Saregama India Limited Vs En.Ssyou.Tube & Ors]..Justice Tejas Karia passed the order on a copyright infringement suit filed by music company Saregama which alleged that infringing sites were engaged in a form of piracy called “stream ripping".Stream ripping is the process of downloading streaming media - video or audio - into a permanent file that users can access without returning to the original website..In the order passed on November 10, the Court said that each act of stream-ripping constitutes infringement that deprives Saregama of its revenue.“It is clear that the unauthorised downloading, reproduction and dissemination of the Plaintiff’s [Saregama] Copyrighted Works through stream-ripping websites are causing grave prejudice to the Plaintiff. Each act of stream ripping constitutes an infringement that directly deprives the Plaintiff of revenue accruing from authorised streaming, sales or distribution channels. Further, the persistent availability of infringing copies of the Plaintiff’s Copyrighted Works on unauthorised digital platforms and circulation of such infringing copies deprive the Plaintiff of the exclusive right of control,” the Court stated. .The Court added that irreparable harm will be caused to Saregama if the websites are not immediately restrained. "Therefore, a prima facie case has been made out on behalf of the Plaintiff for the grant of an ex-parte ad-interim injunction. Balance of convenience is in favour of the Plaintiff and against the Defendant, and irreparable injury would be caused to the Plaintiff if an ex-parte ad-interim injunction is not granted," the Court said..Thus, the Court restrained the respondent-platforms from stream ripping Saregama's copyrighted works for download by users. The Court further directed the domain name registrars to block these websites."Defendant Nos. 24 to 36 shall lock and suspend the domains specified in Schedule-A within 7 days of the receipt of the Notice and shall file in a sealed cover / password protected document all the Basic Subscriber Information, including the names, email address, contact number, IP logs and registration details of the owners, operators of the Domain Names as specified in Schedule- A within two weeks from the receipt of the Notice, of Defendant Nos. 1 to 23," the Court said. Internet service providers were directed to block and disable access to these stream ripping websites within seven days. The next date of hearing in the matter is February 27, 2026. .Advocates Saikrishna Rajagopal, Sidharth Chopra, Suhasini Raina, Manas Raghuvanshi, Ayush Saxena and Affam Moin appeared for Saregama.Advocates Geetanjali Vishwanathan and Yash Raj appeared for a respondent.[Read order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.
