The Delhi High Court has issued a strong directive against 56 rogue websites for illegally streaming the copyrighted films Maalik and Sarbala Ji.
The order, passed by Justice Amit Bansal, came in response to a copyright infringement suit filed by Tips Films Limited, the production company holding exclusive rights to the movies.
Ad-Interim Injunction In Favour Of Tips Films
In an interim relief to the film production company, the Court restrained the defendant websites from hosting, streaming, or sharing pirated versions of the two films. The websites were found to be streaming the content without authorization, violating the exclusive rights of the content owner under the Copyright Act.
Justice Bansal, in his ad-interim injunction, ordered that the domain name registrars (DNRs) must lock and suspend the domain name registrations of the websites found to be infringing.
Protection For Non-Infringing Sites
The Court also made it clear that any website blocked under this order, but which is not primarily engaged in copyright infringement, may approach the Court for relief. Such platforms would be required to submit an undertaking that they do not intend to stream unauthorized content owned by Tips Films.
“If any website, which is not primarily an infringing site, is blocked pursuant to the present order, they shall be permitted to approach this Court by giving an undertaking that it does not intend to engage in any unauthorized streaming of any content, over which the plaintiff has rights,” the Court clarified.
Anonymous & Hidden Ownership Of Websites
Tips Films highlighted that the infringing websites operate anonymously, often using domain privacy services to conceal the identity and contact information of their operators. As a result, efforts to pursue legal action directly against the individuals behind the piracy were hindered.
In view of this, the Court directed the DNRs to disclose full ownership details, payment modes, and any transaction data used in the domain registration process. This would help unmask those operating behind digital anonymity.
Broader Orders To ISPs & Associates
The order also extended to various internet service providers (ISPs), intermediaries, and other associates linked to the rogue websites.
The Court instructed them to block access to the infringing platforms, including all mirror or redirected links.
The matter marks another significant step by the judiciary to combat digital piracy and protect intellectual property rights in the streaming era. The case will continue with further hearings expected on the final relief sought by Tips Films.
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