In relief for Jiostar, Delhi HC restrains rogue websites from streaming South Africa, New Zealand cricket series vs India
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction in favour of Jiostar against rogue websites illegally streaming the ongoing South Africa vs India cricket series and the upcoming New Zealand tour of India.
Justice Tejas Karia noted that the exclusive rights of Jiostar, acquired from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), are required to be protected and “if an ex-parte ad-interim injunction is not granted at this stage, irreparable harm would be caused to the Plaintiff (Jiostar).”
“Balance of convenience also lies in the favour of the Plaintiff. The immediate interim relief is required to be granted in this case, considering the live broadcast of the Event,” the court observed.
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Earlier, the counsel for Jiostar had submitted that the company owns media rights with respect to various sporting events, including international cricket matches organised by the BCCI and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
It was further submitted that Jiostar entered into the Media Rights Agreement with the BCCI for exclusive global digital media rights and television rights in relation to various BCCI events, including for events from 2023 to 2028. The existence of Exclusive Rights of Jiostar was also confirmed by the BCCI.
The counsel for Jiostar pointed out to the court that some rogue apps were providing access to content of Jiostar free of cost or at minimal subscription without any authorisation.
“The apprehension of the unauthorized dissemination, telecasting, or broadcasting of the Events on Defendants’ Applications shall pose a significant threat to the Plaintiff’s revenue streams undermining the value of the considerable investment made by the Plaintiff in acquiring the Exclusive Rights,” the court noted.
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It further observed that the unauthorised use of these elements shall also infringe upon the copyright protections accorded to the broadcast content under the Exclusive Rights.
The court held that swift action is crucial to prevent the alleged infringements and passed the order restraining rogue websites from hosting, streaming, reproducing, or distributing the South Africa tour of India 2025 and New Zealand tour of India 2026.
Advocates Siddharth Chopra, Yatinder Garg, Priyansh Kohli, Ishi Singh, Shudhata Sudhir, and Manish Singh appeared for JioStar.
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