Delhi HC Orders Real-Time Blocking of Rogue Websites Streaming IPL 2026

On 25 March 2026, the Delhi High Court, in JioStar India Private Limited v. https//daddylives.nl & Ors. (CS(COMM) 313/2026), granted an ex parte ad-interim injunction restraining rogue websites from illegally streaming the TATA IPL 2026 and issued directions for real-time blocking of infringing platforms.

The case arose in relation to JioStar India Private Limited’s (hereinafter referred to as the ‘plaintiff’) exclusive digital rights (internet and mobile rights) for the TATA IPL 2026, which were acquired pursuant to an arrangement with Viacom18 Media Private Limited and acknowledged by the BCCI. The rights include mobile streaming rights for the Indian subcontinent and overseas territories for the period from 2023 to 2027.

The plaintiff contended that certain websites were illegally communicating and streaming the plaintiff’s copyrighted content to viewers in Delhi, resulting in infringement. Further contending that the owners or operators of these websites are unknown, are situated at unverifiable locations, operate anonymously, and form part of a network of infringing platforms.

The plaintiff stated that if any entity broadcasts, retransmits, hosts, or streams without authorisation, it would interfere with the plaintiff’s exclusive rights and deny them the ability to properly monetise those rights. It also stated that, based on past experience, these entities proliferate during the event, making real-time blocking measures necessary.

Thus, the plaintiff filed an application under Order XXXIX, Rules 1 & 2 of the CPC, 1908, seeking an ex parte ad interim injunction against the defendant websites and urgent action by the Internet Service Providers to block them.

The Court remarked that the plaintiff appears to have a prima facie strong case, as it holds the exclusive right to broadcast TATA IPL 2026 and has a worldwide presence for hosting or live-streaming such events. The Court noted that, since the plaintiff has not granted any further broadcasting or streaming rights to any of the defendants or any other entity, the balance of convenience is in favour of the plaintiff. It further stated that irreparable loss and injury may result if the ex parte ad-interim injunction is not granted, and that such loss may not be adequately compensated in monetary terms.

Accordingly, the Court passed an ex parte ad-interim injunction restraining the defendant websites from hosting or streaming IPL 2026 content without authorisation. Further, the Court directed the Domain Name Registrars (DNRs) to immediately lock or suspend the infringing domain names and to disclose the registrants’ complete details, including contact information and payment methods, to the plaintiff within one week. Further, the Court stated that the plaintiff has liberty to notify the Department of Telecommunications and MEITY of infringing websites during the tournament for immediate blocking. 

The Court also provided a safeguard stating that if any website which is not primarily an infringing website is locked, suspended, or blocked pursuant to the order, it shall be at liberty to approach the Court seeking modification or clarification upon furnishing an undertaking that it does not intend to illegally disseminate content over which the plaintiff has exclusive rights.