Star India Private Ltd and Anr v. T1.MYLIVECRICKET.CLUB and Ors

Delhi High Court · 13 Dec 2023 · 2023:DHC:8900

Prathiba M. Singh

CS(COMM) 699/2022

2023:DHC:8900

civil appeal_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court granted permanent injunction and directed blocking of rogue websites unlawfully streaming the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, upholding the plaintiffs’ exclusive broadcasting rights and endorsing dynamic injunctions against mirror sites.

Full Text

CS(COMM) 699/2022
HIGH COURT OF DELHI

Reserved on: 24th November, 2023

Date of Decision: 13th December, 2023

CS(COMM) 699/2022 & I.A. 16478/2022
STAR INDIA PRIVATE LTD AND ANR ..... Petitioners
Through: Ms. Snehima Jauhari and Ms. Rimjhim Tiwari, Advs

VERSUS

T1.MYLIVECRICKET.CLUB AND ORS .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Sandeep Mahapatra, CGSC with Mr. Gurjas Singh Narula, Advs. D22
(M. 9811472444)

CORAM:

JUSTICE PRATHIBA M. SINGH

JUDGMENT

Prathiba M. Singh, J.

1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.

2. The present suit has been filed by the Plaintiffs seeking, inter alia, permanent injunction restraining various known and unknown rogue websites from unlawfully and illegally broadcasting/telecasting the event namely ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2022, over which the Plaintiffs claim exclusive rights. The present suit was initially filed by the Plaintiffs, against the following Defendants: a) The Defendant Nos. 1 to 8, claimed to be ‘rogue websites’. b) The Defendant Nos. 9 to 12, the Domain Name Registrars (DNRs) of the domain names used by the ‘rogue websites’; c) The Defendant Nos. 13 to 21, the Internet Service Providers (ISPs); d) The Defendant Nos. 22 and 23, Department of Telecommunications (hereinafter, ‘DoT’) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (hereinafter, ‘MEITY’); e) The Defendant No. 24, impleaded as ‘John Doe’ in the name of ‘Ashok Kumar’. The list of Defendants is annexed to this order as Annexure 1.

3. It is the case of the Plaintiff No.1 - Star India Private Ltd that it is a leading broadcaster in India. It is asserted that it owns 65 TV Channels in eight languages, including general entertainment and sporting channels. It also has rights in respect of broadcast of various sporting events, including domestic and international cricket matches, that are organized inter alia by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

4. The Plaintiff No.2 – Novi Digital Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. owns and operates the online audio-visual streaming platform and website, www.hotstar.com and the mobile application, ‘Disney+ Hotstar’, where all the events for which the rights are enjoyed by the Plaintiff No. 1 are streamed by the Plaintiff No. 2.

5. The Plaintiffs had acquired the exclusive Global Media Rights including Television Rights, Digital Rights (internet and mobile) as also certain ancillary rights in respect of the ICC events from the ICC for a period of eight years from 2015 to 2023, for a substantial consideration, in terms of the Media Rights Agreement dated 20th November, 2014. It is asserted that the Plaintiffs also own the exclusive license of the media rights of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 cricket tournament which was to commence from 16th October, 2022 and conclude on 13th November, 2022.

6. The case of the Plaintiffs was that the Defendant Nos. 1-8/rogue websites were previously involved in illegal telecasting of cricket events over which the Plaintiffs had exclusive rights, such as the VIVO IPL 2021. Hence, it was the Plaintiffs’ apprehension that the Defendants would continue the infringement of the exclusive rights of the Plaintiffs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Accordingly, it was prayed by the Plaintiffs that all the ISPs ought to be directed by DoT and MEITY to block the said rogue websites.

7. The present suit was listed for the first time on 11th October, 2022. On the said date, an ex-parte ad-interim injunction was granted. The operative portion of the said order is set out below:

“19. Having considered the contents of the plaint and documents filed therewith, and having heard the learned counsel for the Plaintiffs, the Court is of the opinion that the Plaintiffs have been able to make out a prima facie case for grant of an ex-parte ad-interim injunction, which is also a dynamic injunction. The balance of convenience lies in favour of the Plaintiffs and against the Defendants. Irreparable injury would be caused to the Plaintiffs if the interim injunction is not granted. Disclosure orders are also liable to be passed against the Domain Name Registrars, and further, the MEITY and DoT ought to also issue blocking orders to all the ISPs, to block the said ‘rogue websites’. Considering the investment which the Plaintiffs have made in acquiring the rights of these events, any illegal broadcasting would severely affect the monetary interest of the Plaintiffs, and also diminish the value of the rights of such sporting events. 20. Accordingly, till further orders, the Defendant

Nos. 1 to 8 and all others acting for or on their behalf, shall be restrained from hosting, streaming, broadcasting, rebroadcasting, retransmitting or in any other manner communicating to the public, or disseminating to the public, any cricketing events, extracts, excerpts, highlights in relation to cricket matches relating to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 commencing from 16.10.2022 to 13.11.2022.

21. The Domain Name Registrars shall also immediately block the said domain names and maintain status quo thereof. The said Domain Name Registrars shall also disclose to the Plaintiffs the following: a) Complete details (such as Name, Address, Email Address, Phone Number, IP Address etc.) of the Defendant Nos. 1 to 8 and such other websites which are discovered during the course of the proceedings and notified on Affidavit by the Plaintiffs to have been infringing he Plaintiffs’ exclusive rights, copyrights and broadcast reproduction rights. b) Mode of Payment along with payment details used for registration of domain name by the Registrant i.e., the Defendant Nos. 1 to 8 and such other websites which are discovered during the course of the proceedings and notified on Affidavit by the Plaintiffs to have been infringing the Plaintiffs’ exclusive rights, copyrights and broadcast reproduction rights. c) Details of other websites registered by the Defendant Nos. 1 to 8 and such other websites which are discovered during the course of the proceedings and notified on Affidavit by the Plaintiffs to have been infringing the Plaintiffs’ exclusive rights, copyrights and broadcast reproduction rights using similar details, same credit card, payment gateway etc. (disclosed as per Clause (b) above) with the Defendant Nos. 9 to 12. d) Details of Complaints received by the Defendant Nos. 9 to 12 in the past against the Defendant Nos. 1 to 8 and such other websites which are discovered during the course of the proceedings and notified on Affidavit by the Plaintiffs to have been infringing he Plaintiffs’ exclusive rights, copyrights and broadcast reproduction rights.

22. The DoT and MEITY, as also the ISPs, shall block the Defendant Nos. 1 to 8 websites. The said blocking orders shall be issued by the DoT within 24 hours after service of this order. Pursuant to the said blocking order(s), all the ISPs, that is, the Defendant Nos. 13 – 21, shall block access to the URLs, as also the mobile applications within 24 hours and shall not permit the download of these applications or the streaming of the rogue websites.

23. If the Plaintiffs discover other mirror websites or rogue websites which are broadcasting and/or telecasting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup unauthorisedly, they may: a) File an affidavit in this regard before the Court along with evidence thereof. The said websites shall stand blocked with immediate effect, upon notice being issued by the Plaintiffs to the DoT and ISPs that such an affidavit has already been filed before this Court. b) Upon the DoT receiving the notices and communications from the Plaintiffs that the affidavits have been filed before the Court, the orders for blocking such further rogue websites shall be passed, immediately and in any case, within 24 hours, so that the websites do not continue to stream infringing content in any manner whatsoever.”

8. The above order was a Dynamic injunction. Thus, after the grant of the injunction, in view of the additional affidavits filed by the Plaintiffs the said injunction has been extended to other rogue websites as also mirror websites. The list of rogue/ mirror websites qua which the said injunction order has been extended is annexed to this order as Annexure 2.

9. Ld. Counsel for the Plaintiffs submits that Defendant Nos. 22 and 23 i.e. DoT and MEITY have complied with the order dated 11th October, 2022 and have issued necessary directions for blocking access to the said websites and steps have been taken for serving the other Defendants, including the ISPs.

10. Further, vide order dated 17th May, 2023, the right to file written statement of Defendant No. 1 to 9, 11 to 15, 17 to 23 has been closed.

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11. A perusal of the record shows that the rights of the Plaintiffs in the event namely ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2022 as also other ICC events are not in dispute. The Defendant Nos. 1-8 as also subsequent websites being rogue/ mirror websites, which are engaged in unlawfully and illegally broadcasting the said event, in violation of the exclusive broadcasting rights of the Plaintiffs, cannot be permitted to continue their infringing telecast without authorization, consent and license of the Plaintiffs.

12. Accordingly, considering the exclusive rights of the Plaintiffs in the said event as also other ICC events, as per the Media Rights Agreement dated 20th November, 2014, as also the severe apprehension of the Plaintiffs, the present suit is decreed qua the Defendant Nos.[1] to 8 and the websites mentioned in Annexure 2 of this order, in terms of the reliefs as sought in paragraphs 83(i) and 83(ii) of the plaint.

13. Insofar as relief claimed under paragraph 83(iii) is concerned, the DNRs/Defendant Nos. 9 to 12 have locked and suspend the rogue websites from time to time and have also provided the available details to the Plaintiff. Hence, no further orders are sought against the said DNRs. The said websites shall continue to be locked and suspended.

14. Insofar as relief claimed under paragraph 83(iv) is concerned, the ISPs have already blocked access to the various websites identified by the Plaintiffs in this case.

15. Insofar as the relief as sought in paragraph 83(v) is concerned, the Defendant Nos. 22 & 23 have already issued a notification calling upon the various ISPs registered under it to block access to rogue/mirror websites. The said notification shall continue during the term of the Media Rights Agreement dated 20th November, 2014.

16. Insofar as the reliefs of damages and rendition of accounts as sought in paragraphs 83(vi) and (vii) respectively, are concerned, the ld. Counsel for the Plaintiffs do not press for the said reliefs. Accordingly, the same are not granted.

17. No order as to costs.

18. Decree sheet be drawn accordingly. All pending applications are also disposed of.

PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUDGE DECEMBER 13, 2023 dj/kt

ANNEXURE - 1 Defendant Name Defendant No.1. t[1].mylivecricket.club t[2].mylivecricket.club t[3].mylivecricket.club Defendant No. 2. b[2].cricbuzz.club b[3].cricbuzz.club Defendant No. 3. wp.strikeout.cc Defendant No. 4 cdn.livetv583.me Defendant No. 5 stream.jokerstreampage.xyz Defendant No. 6 gooals.top Defendant No. 7 daddylive.link Defendant No. 8 plyjam.me vipleague.im ply.jams.wiki watch.cricstream.me Defendant No. 9. NameCheap, Inc. Defendant No. 10. DynadotLLC Defendant No. 11 Name Silo LLC Defendant No. 12 Sarek Defendant No. 13 Atria Convergence Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Defendant No. 14 Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. Defendant No. 15. Bharti Airtel Ltd. Defendant No. 16. Hathway Cable & Datacom Pvt. Ltd. Defendant No. 17. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd Defendant No. 18. Reliance Jio Infocomm Defendant No. 19 Shyam Spectra Pvt. Ltd. Defendant No. 20. Tata Teleservices Ltd. Defendant No. 21 Vodafone Idea Limited Defendant No. 22. Department of Telecommunications Defendant No. 23. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Defendant No. 24 Ashok Kumars

ANNEXURE - 2 Additional Affidavits filed in Star India Pvt Ltd. vs T1my.livecricket.club CS(COMM) 699 of 2023 Diary No. List of Websites Websites Additional Affidavit 1 Diary No. E- 1771677/2022 http://streamservicehd.click http://sportsway.me/ http://strms.org http://pikaporn.xyz http://cdn01.palki.tv https://livex[2].criclive.cf/ https://er17.t20cric.cfd Affidavit 2 1789074/2022. https://t20cricketworldcup.net/ https://footyhunter[3].xyz/ https://livecrik.com/ https://tv.puresoul.live/ https://todayt20match.com/ https://sscrickettv.online:5866/hls/pt vsports_720p/index.m3u[8] https://er17.t20cric.cfd Affidavit 3 1818655/2022 http://streamia.xyz http://vikistream.com http://web.freeucp.com http://aesport.tv/ http://ballfeed.live/ http://bestreamsports.org/ http://cricketstream.tv/ http://socolive.pro/ http://wasila.tv/ https://how2wish.com/ http://mscric.com http://sahiwalcity.com/ Affidavit 4 1826462/2022 http://tv.gundapanda.com/ http://poscitech.com/ http://sportssoccer.club/ http://thehomesport.net/ http://live.hplink.com.bd/ http://watch.soccerloverss.live/ http://1080soccerhd.club/225/D370. php http://crackstreamshd.net/ http://cricstreamers.com/ http://www.newevent.online/ http://hotstarcricket[2].kuldeeptanwar.repl.co/ Affidavit 5 1835549/2022 http://103.158.2.10:1935/live/ch- 1/chunklist_w1187504874.m3u[8] http://testotv[1].ftpbd.net/streams/110/index.m[3] u[8] https://cdn.live4wap.xyz/t/fp/24/mas ter.m3u8?t=d54bb9a9304ebb https://pullhasportsstudio.cdnvideo.asia/live/ten - 786101/playlist.m3u8?token=098fed de4309785f- LVRUD12H6N2KIE9C- 1666610074- 1666599274&name=ten- 786101&ip=223.235.56.214 http://185.53.88.146/live/DZZC/chu nks.m3u[8] http://176.57.50.77:8080/ptv123212 33fffdgrgrtgrthbrtgytrrergergt ertgertgerte4tergt/tracksv1a1/mono.m3u[8] http://45.139.122.210:8080/live/010 07888688/28464975/93627. m3u8?token=yccfUU.fafH.X.fcfXb. yczHbdcU.X.y.IN.m3u[8].dfe[9] 2ba29 http://31.172.87.19:2200/R- EX/STAR_SPORTSHINDI_HD_1in/tracksv1a1/ mono.m3u8?token=RED_Hqqv1c3n XjqlzBGFPhFuTg%3D %3D%2C165803831455.481465165 9%3D https://livexx[2].criclive.cf/live/stream xx.m3u8?hls_ctx=m787l9l0 http://bdtype.bdixsports.live:1935/liv e/event.stream/chunklist_w[1] 729034700.m3u8?bdixsportstokenen dtime=1667028520&bdixsp ortstokenstarttime=1667021520&bdi xsportstokenhash=YVpm09 OzQlNOzif2mIdm7GxxsIiLrUbsoL QKKWl-d5E%3D https://ingest4- 4204.boxcast.com/bizarrecompany/ tkw4kg7asgicvxkwripo/240pbyterangesext. m3u8?Policy=eyJTdGF0ZW1lbnQi Olt7IlJlc291cmNlIjoiaHR 0cHM6Ly9pbmdlc3Q0LTQyMDQu Ym94Y2FzdC5jb20vYml6Y XJyZS1jb21wYW55L3RrdzRrZzdh c2dpY3Z4a3dyaXBvLzI0M HAtYnl0ZXJhbmdlcy1leHQubTN[1] OCIsIkNvbmRpdGlvbiI6eyJ EYXRlTGVzc1RoYW4iOnsiQVdT OkVwb2NoVGltZSI6MTY[2] NzE0NTY5MH19fV19&Signature= D6sq5cTMPSPYVtqYufKT0 YKMsfcR7S6sN1vmWtWCIbl~pG WqNQb8RXrExorvcXMq95MirVV FimafCFDOvg~ i7fkWSwzEJahA8tHvHXk8QeorLL niXzo[5] NTmvi- 6tqdcu4d4rDjJWaAdsOLYJpUGFP ~R4CtzfvRnGCmvilzaX8Ca Y2v64PulpAiF8v-fHHciBryoQIWQTM3XlClRlE2bNR8t[7] EQYhsJSqFouA6lhND1G3EJgid8- D8OXGlW7LgTPdcQZ7oHuSP5Gd ivGVr6b2v8UtfAmCnopFJ[6] sdOzheP9YCXU4RVqd9jgA7m73tu wRinYo4X9kGhzLZ6EpC[6] g__&Key-Pair- Id=APKAJ7GUCBQUK6NTWZCA https://cricket01.live4wap.xyz https://live.genzaitv.com/2022/10/t[2] 0-cricket.html?m=1 https://hncsports.xyz u[8] http://en.ripplestream4u.online/p/sky -sports-cricket.html http://footyhunter[3].xyz/papahd/strea m-598.php http://gw.freestreamslive[1].com/cricket-1/ http://infojobnews.com/live/sportstv/ten-sports-live-streaming http://live.sportscastindia.in/p/live- 01.html http://m.crichd.vip/star-sports-1-livestream-inclay http://my[1].mylivecricket.club/ http://my[2].mylivecricket.club/ http://my[3].mylivecricket.club/ http://my[4].mylivecricket.club/ https://ipllinks.in/ http://xtream.efiberbd.net:25461/live /mkaua/stream/3.m3u[8] https://epr11.t20cup.lol/hls/token/fgj 5jg8dsddg35jfghh4667785hy 7vp3s/stream.m3u8?referer=https://t 20cup.lol/ http://185.53.89.169/live/QSQ/chunk s.m3u[8] https://s14.gocast123.me:8401/hd/hl s/YmG5dvgEw93XTYowlqBGQ/ 1667118614/yt43.m3u[8] Affidavit 6 1852872/2022 http://80.85.141.87:25461/live/FMqf dkceen/nWWPgOQcFD/532. m3u[8] http://5.183.209.138:8080/live/0100 7888688/28464975/93634.m 3u[8] http://t.switchcast[2].com:999/hls/skys cric.m3u[8] http://wat.gooals.top/stream/stream- 370.php http://sportsala.net/crictime-wwwcrictime-com-t20/ http://peer25.topeuserver.com/crc/1/t racks-v1a1/mono.m3u[8] http://31.172.87.53:2200/EX/Sky_Sp orts_Cricket_HD-uk/tracksv1a1/ mono.m3u[8] http://109.169.86.27:8030/Crlug1/in dex.m3u[8] Affidavit 7 http://b.crictime.is http://i.mobilecric.com http://live.cric786.com 1852879/2022 http://freehit.eu http://livetvon.click https://techandwell.xyz http://streamia.xyz http://cricketguy.in/ http://fundayforum.com/ http://live.genzaitv.com http://livecricket.top/ptv http://nba.lvfoot.co/ http://sport4free.com http://usaajobs.co http://ustream.click http://freeshot.live http://rofootball.com http://sportkart[1].xyz http://31.172.87.50:2200/AFR- EX/SuperSport_Variety_2_FHDdstv / tracks-v1a1/mono.m3u[8] http://163.172.62.253:7135/cert/Six/i ndex.m3u[8] http://acdn.bdixsports.live:1935/live/ event.stream/chunklist.m3u[8] http://maxfolker.rossteleccom.net/ipt v/4N3VF4TY2PZ8R8/7343/ index.m3u[8] http://4.236.187.28:1935/origin/ch1/ chunklist.m3u[8] Affidavit 8 http://103.158.2.10:1935/live/ch- 1/chunklist_w1187504874.m3u[8] u[8] 1857580/2022. http://185.53.88.146/live/DZZC/chu nks.m3u[8] http://176.57.50.77:8080/ptv123212 33fffdgrgrtgrthbrtgytrrergergt ertgertgerte4tergt/trackshttp://45.139.122.210:8080/live/010 07888688/28464975/93627. m3u8?token=yccfUU.fafH.X.fcfXb. yczHbdcU.X.y.IN.m3u[8].dfe[9] 2ba29 http://31.172.87.19:2200/R- EX/STAR_SPORTSHINDI_HD_1in/tracksv1a1/ mono.m3u8?token=RED_Hqqv1c3n XjqlzBGFPhFuTg%3D %3D%2C165803831455.481465165 9%3D http://bdtype.bdixsports.live:1935/liv e/event.stream/chunklist_w[1] 729034700.m3u8?bdixsportstokenen dtime=1667028520&bdixsp ortstokenstarttime=1667021520&bdi xsportstokenhash=YVpm09 OzQlNOzif2mIdm7GxxsIiLrUbsoL QKKWl-d5E%3D https://hncsports.xyz http://en.ripplestream4u.online/p/sky -sports-cricket.html http://footyhunter[3].xyz/papahd/strea m-598.php http://gw.freestreamslive[1].com/cricket-1/ http://infojobnews.com/live/sportstv/ten-sports-live-streaming http://live.sportscastindia.in/p/live- 01.html http://m.crichd.vip/star-sports-1-livestream-inclay http://my[1].mylivecricket.club/ http://my[2].mylivecricket.club/ http://my[3].mylivecricket.club/ http://my[4].mylivecricket.club/ https://ipllinks.in/ http://xtream.efiberbd.net:25461/live /mkaua/stream/3.m3u[8] http://185.53.89.169/live/QSQ/chunk s.m3u[8] Affidavit 9 1857591/2022. http://embx203488.apl182.me/player /live.php?id=203488&w=70 0&h=480 http://xestreams.com/livetv/tv16.php http://sportdekho.net/astro-cricketlive-streaming/ http://77.247.109.51/live/RHTTR12 34VC/chunks.m3u8?USE_E XOPLAYER=1 http://185.53.89.169/live/RHTTR12 34VC/chunks.m3u8?USE_E XOPLAYER=1 Affidavit 10 http://bdml.fun/live-tv/ http://dekbotv.com/live-tv/ http://livetvuhd.com/ 1857669/2022 http://wpc.1852d[4].alphacdn.net/8018 52D4/main/hls/fr76.m3u[8] http://212.102.38.8:8080/57e774484 6fbd1aed1dd05/tracks- Affidavit 11 1866994/2022 http://livesportsnetwork.one http://songslover.vip http://aayushparajuli.com.np http://rohabtv.stream http://hvalasestro.in.rs http://78.129.237.44:8030/Crlug1/in dex.m3u[8] http://ge[1].livechymde.xyz/relive/sky sportscricket/chunks.m3u[8] http://edn[2]. icetoot.me/plyvivo/h08a4anezi1a3ig a803e/chunklist.m3u[8] https://cdn.live4wap.xyz/t/fp/24/mas ter.m3u8?t=d54bb9a9304 https://ww[1].live4wap.xyz https://m.live4wap.xyz/embed.php Affidavit 12 http://ranapk.gq http://212.224.84.213:2200/REX/ 1869058/2022 STAR_SPORTSHINDI_HD_1-in/tracks- 1a1/mono.m3u[8] http://31.172.87.4:2200/EX/Sky_Sports_C ricket_SD-uk/tracksv1a1/ mono.m3u[8] http://212.224.84.227:2200/REX/ STAR_SPORTSHINDI_HD_1-in/trackshttp://31.172.87.46:2200/EX/Sky_Sports_ Cricket_SDuk/ index.m3u[8] Affidavit 13 1869158/2022. https://daddyhd.com https://filmy4cab.store https://live4wap.tk https://yalla-cricket.com https://asports.live https://akitv.tk/ https://anonymouscdn.cfd/ https://live4wap.xyz Affidavit 14 1874888/2022 http://51.79.79.8:8080/live/18C7E71BB37 968F5ACBDA341D8B 9E900/333084.m3u[8] http://hd.webcric.com http://nwayoovideos.com http://strmbo.org http://watch.cricstream.me http://yallashot.top Affidavit 15 1874891/2022 https://switchcast[2].com https://criclive.cf/ https://www.live4wap.lol TOTAL 164 ************************

Star India Private Ltd and Anr v. T1.MYLIVECRICKET.CLUB and Ors

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