Delhi HC Orders Blocking of ‘Rogue Websites’ Streaming Cricket Matches and TV Channels

The Delhi High Court has recently directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) and the Department of Technology (DoT) to block 22 ‘rogue websites’ engaged in the unauthorized streaming of television channels, cricket matches, France Ligue, and the LaLiga.

A single bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh asked the Central government to issue blocking orders against these websites within 24 hours. Following this, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are mandated to block access to these websites and their corresponding mobile applications.

“The DoT and MEITY, along with the ISPs, are directed to block the Defendant Nos. 1 to 22 websites. The said blocking orders shall be issued by the DoT within 24 hours after the service of this order. Pursuant to the said blocking order/s, all ISPs, i.e., Defendant nos. 30 – 38, shall block access to the URLs and mobile applications within 24 hours, preventing the download or streaming of the rogue websites,” the order stated.

The case was brought before the Bench by Star India, which sought an injunction against these websites for unlawfully broadcasting and streaming the upcoming Asia Cup cricket matches and related content. Star India asserted its exclusive media rights for the Asia Cup tournament from 2018 to 2023, set to begin on August 31, 2023.

Star India expressed concerns that these rogue websites, based on their past activities, might illegally broadcast and stream Asia Cup Cricketing events. After reviewing the case, the Court deemed these websites to be rogue platforms engaged in piracy and unauthorized content dissemination, leading to the issuance of an injunction order.

The Court’s injunction restrained the Defendant Nos. 1 to 22 and any entities acting on their behalf from hosting, streaming, broadcasting, rebroadcasting, retransmitting, or otherwise communicating or disseminating any cricketing events, extracts, highlights, or excerpts related to the Asia Cup 2022, scheduled from August 31, 2023, to September 17, 2023.

The Domain Name Registrars (DNRs) were directed to block the domain names of these rogue websites and provide comprehensive details such as names, addresses, IP addresses, and KYC information.

Furthermore, the DNRs were required to furnish information about other websites registered by the 22 rogue websites in question and details of any complaints received against these sites.

The next hearing on the case is scheduled for December 19, 2023.