Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. Rutracker.org & Ors.

Delhi High Court · 08 Sep 2022 · 2022:DHC:3534

Navin Chawla

CS(COMM) 515/2019

2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

intellectual_property appeal_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court granted summary judgment and permanent injunctions against rogue websites illegally streaming Warner Bros.' copyrighted films, directing ISPs and government departments to block access and permitting dynamic impleadment of mirror sites.

Full Text

CS(COMM) 515/2019
HIGH COURT OF DELHI

Reserved on: 26.08.2022

Date of Decision: 08.09.2022

CS (COMM) 515/2019 & I.A 12927/2019, I.A. 12929/2019 &

I.A. 11119/2022
WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.....Plaintiff
Through: Ms.Suhasini Raina, Ms.R.Ramya and Ms.Mehr Sidhu, Advs.

VERSUS

RUTRACKER.ORG & ORS. .... Defendants
Through:

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAVIN CHAWLA

JUDGMENT

1. The Plaintiff has filed the present suit inter-alia praying for the following reliefs:

“56. In light of the foregoing, it is most

respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Court may

be pleased to:

i. Issue an order and decree of permanent injunction restraining the Defendant Nos. 1-19 (and such other mirror/redirect/alphanumeric websites discovered to provide additional means of accessing the Defendant Website, and other domains/domain owners/website operators/entities which are discovered to have been engaging in infringing the Plaintiff's exclusive rights), its owners, partners, proprietors, officers, servants, employees, and all others in capacity of principal or agent acting for and on their behalf, or anyone claiming through, by or under it, from, in any manner hosting, streaming, reproducing, distributing, making

2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 available to the public and/or communicating to the public, or facilitating the same, on their websites, through the internet in any manner whatsoever, any cinematograph work/content/programme/ show in relation to which Plaintiff has copyright, ii. Issue an order and decree directing the Defendant Nos. 20-28, their directors, partners, proprietors, officers, affiliates, servants, employees, and all others in capacity of principal or agent acting for and, on their behalf, or anyone claiming through, by or under it, to block access to the Defendant Nos. 1-19 website identified by the Plaintiff in the instant suit (and such other mirror/redirect/alphanumeric websites discovered to provide additional means of accessing the Defendant Website, and other domains/domain owners/website operators/entities which are discovered to have been engaging in infringing the Plaintiff's exclusive rights) iii. Issue an order directing the Defendant Nos.29 and 30, to issue a notification calling upon the various internet and telecom service providers registered under it to block access to the Defendant Nos. 1-19 websites identified by the Plaintiff in the instant suit (and such other mirror/redirect/alphanumeric websites discovered to provide additional means of accessing the Defendant Website, and other domains/domain owners/website operators/entities which are discovered to have been engaging in infringing the Plaintiff's exclusive rights); iv. Issue an order directing the Domain Name Registrars of the Defendant Website identified by the Plaintiff in the Plaint to disclose the contact details and other details about the owner of the said websites, and other such relief as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper:”

2. The Plaintiff claims itself to be a global entertainment company under the laws of the State of Delaware, the United States of America, and as being engaged in the business of creation, production, and 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 distribution of motion pictures. The Plaintiff has also received certain reputed awards, such as the Academy Award for “Best Picture” for “Argo” in 2012.

3. It is the contention of the Plaintiff that the motion pictures produced by the Plaintiff, being works of visual recording and which include sound recordings accompanying such visual recordings, qualify to be a „cinematograph film‟ under Section 2(f) of the Copyright Act, 1957 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”). The Plaintiff claims this Court has jurisdiction by virtue of Section 13(1) read with Sections 13(2) and 5 of the Act, since the Plaintiff‟s cinematograph films are released in India, the cinematograph films of the Plaintiff would be entitled to all the rights and protections granted under the provisions of the Act.

4. The claim of the Plaintiff is premised on the allegation of illegal and unauthorized distribution, broadcasting, re-broadcasting, transmission and streaming of the Plaintiff‟s original content by the Defendant Nos. 1 to 19 and 32 to 51 (hereinafter referred to as the “rogue websites”). It is the case of the Plaintiff that as a result of the unauthorized transmission of their content, the rogue websites infringe the copyright of the Plaintiff in the original works produced by it, which have been granted protection under the provisions of the Act.

5. The Plaintiff has impleaded various Internet Service Providers (in short, “ISPs”) as the Defendant Nos. 20 to 28 and the concerned departments of the Government of India as the Defendant Nos. 29 and

30. The ISPs and the concerned departments have been impleaded for the limited relief of compliance with any directions of this Court granted in favour of the Plaintiff. 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

6. The Plaintiff has alleged that the Defendant Nos.[1] to 19 and32 to 51 are the rogue websites. The Plaintiff, vide an investigation conducted by an independent investigator, learnt of the extent of the infringing activity of the rogue websites, in as much as the rogue websites have infringed the Plaintiff‟s copyright under the provisions of the Act in the original content by unauthorized distribution, broadcasting, rebroadcasting, transmission and streaming and/or by facilitating the use of the rogue websites, inter alia by downloading and streaming the Plaintiff‟s original cinematograph films in which copyright vests.

7. It is also the case of the Plaintiff that a cease-and-desist notice was served on the rogue websites calling upon them to cease from engaging in their infringing activities. Despite the legal notice, the rogue websites continue to infringe the rights of the Plaintiff in its original content.

8. The learned counsel for the Plaintiff presses only for prayers (i),

(ii) and (iii), as noted hereinabove, of the plaint. The other reliefs as made in the plaint are not pressed.

44,514 characters total

9. The learned counsel for the Plaintiff relies upon the judgment passed by a Coordinate Bench of this Court in a batch of petitions dated 10.04.2019, including UTV Software Communication Ltd. &Ors. v. 1337X.to & Ors., 2019 SCC OnLine Del 8002, which deal with the determination of rogue websites.

10. The Plaintiff thereafter filed I.A. 11119 of 2022 under Order XIII- A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (hereinafter referred to as “CPC”), as applicable to commercial disputes, seeking a summary judgment. The said application was listed before this Court on 20.07.2022, wherein this Court recorded that the service and pleadings 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 are complete in regard to all the Defendants and that the rogue websites have neither appeared nor have filed written statements in the present suit proceedings till date. Further, this Court directed the suit to proceed exparte qua Defendant Nos. 1 to 19 and 31 to 51 (which includes the rogue websites).

11. The grounds for filing the present application, as enumerated by the Plaintiff in the same, are as follows: a. That all the Defendants have been duly served by the Plaintiff, however, only the Defendant Nos. 20,24,25, 27, 29 and 30 have entered appearance before this Court. b. That the Defendant Nos. 1 to 19 and 32 to 51 being the rogue websites, against whom the Plaintiff is seeking primary relief, are illegally streaming the Plaintiff‟s content on their websites and even after being duly served by the Plaintiff, have decided not to contest the present suit. c. That the rogue websites impleaded as Defendant Nos. 1 to 19 and 32 to 51 have no real prospect of successfully defending the claim of copyright infringement under Section 51 of the Act and have further not chosen to contest the said claim. d. Additionally, there is no other compelling reason why the present suit should not be disposed of before recording of oral evidence particularly in view of the fact that there is no dispute regarding the illegal activities of the Defendant Nos. 1 to 19 and 32 to 51 and in any event, in the absence of any challenge or opposition to the factual allegations made in the plaint, in view of 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 provisions of Order VIII Rule 5 of the CPC, there is no occasion for recording of oral evidence in the present matter.

12. The learned counsel for the Plaintiff has relied upon Clause 3 of Chapter XA of the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018 which states the grounds under which a Court can pass a summary judgment.

13. The learned counsel for the Plaintiff has drawn my attention to two affidavits filed by Mr. Manish Vaishampayan, who conducted the investigation with regard to the aforesaid websites on the instance of the Plaintiff, to contend that the said websites need to be treated as rogue websites. With respect to this contention, reliance is placed on the documentary evidence in support of each of the aforesaid websites:

S. No. Particulars Court File Pagination along with Volume Number

1. Print of Contact Details of various websites as available on WHOIS (primary domains):

1) rutracker.org (Defendant No. 1) Pg. 671-675 Folder IV (Vol. 4)

2) rutcracker.net (Defendant No.1) Pg.845-850 Folder IV (Vol.5) 3) maintracker.org (Defendant No. 1) Pg.928-933 Folder IV (Vol.5)

4) cccp-RutRacker.org (Defendant No. 1) Pg.752-75 Folder IV (Vol.4)

5) Main-RutRacker.org (Defendant No. 1) Pg.934-936 Folder IV (Vol.5)

6) TodayTvSeries[2].com (Defendant No. 2) Pg. 984 -986 Folder IV (Vol. 5)

7) TodayTvSeries.club Pg.1017-1019 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 (Defendant No. 2) Folder IV (Vol. 5)

8) TodayTvSeries.bid (Defendant No. 2) 1066-1069 Folder IV (Vol. 6)

9) OnlineMovieWatch.org (Defendant No. 3) Pg.1121-1123 Folder IV (Vol. 6)

10) OMwMovie.com (Defendant No. 3) Pg.1124-1126 Folder IV (Vol. 6)

11) OnlineMovieWatch.li (Defendant No.3) Pg.1129-1130 Folder IV (Vol. 6)

12) OnlineMovieWatchs.ws (Defendant No. 3) Pg.1139-1140 Folder IV (Vol. 6)

13) OnlineMovieWatchs.bz (Defendant No. 3) Pg.1133-1136 Folder IV (Vol.6) 14) 480ptvseries.com (Defendant No. 4) Pg.1264-1268 Folder IV (Vol. 6) 15)02Tvseries.com (Defendant No.5) Pg. 1289-1292 Folder IV (Vol.7) 16) O2TvSeries.co.za (Defendant No.5) Pg.1310- 1312 Folder IV(Vol.7) 17) O2TvSeries.co (Defendant No.5) Pg. 1336-1340 Folder IV (Vol. 7)

18) MovieZadDiction.info (Defendant No. 6) Pg.1343-1345 Folder IV (Vol. 7)

19) MovieZadDiction.live (Defendant No. 6) Pg.1386-1389 Folder IV (Vol. 7)

20) TopTvShows.io (Defendant No. 7) Pg.1599-1601 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

21) TopTvShows.me (Defendant No. 7) Pg.1602-1604 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

22) TopTvShows.net (Defendant No. 7) Pg.1607-1611 Folder IV (Vol. 8) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

23) TopTvShows.co (Defendant No. 7) Pg.1614-1617 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

24) TopTvshows.cc (Defendant No. 7) Pg.1620-1622 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

25) McUmoViesHome.com (Defendant No. 8) Pg.1671-1674 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

26) Magnetdl.com (Defendant No.9) Pg.1688- 1691 Folder IV(Vol. 8)

27) Magnetdl.Unblocked.dk (Defendant No. 9) Pg.1704- 1707 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

28) Magnetdl.Unblocked.live (Defendant No. 9) Pg.1708- 1710 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

29) Magnetdl.Unblocked.vip (Defendant No. 9) Pg.1713-1716 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

30) Magnetdl.Unblocked.ist (Defendant No. 9) Pg.1719-1720 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

31) Magnetdl.Unblocked.uno (Defendant No. 9) Pg.1723-1725 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

32) Magnetdl.Unblocked.onl (Defendant No. 31) Pg.1728-1730 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

33) TorrentGalaxy.to (Defendant No. 10) 1869- 1870 Folder IV (Vol. 9)

34) Torrentgalaxy.unblockninja.com (Defendant No.10) Pg.1941-1944 Folder IV (Vol.9)

35) torrentgalaxy.unblockproject.icu (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2151-2153 Folder IV (Vol. 10)

36) torrentgalaxy.123unblock.fun (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2287-2289 Folder IV (Vol. 11)

37) torrentgalaxy.nocensor.casa (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2431-2433 Folder IV (Vol. 12)

38) torrentgalaxy.proX4You.pro (Defendant No 10) Pg.2575- 2577 Folder IV (Vol. 12) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

39) torrentgalaxy.proxybit.pro (Defendant No.10) Pg.2720- 2721 Folder IV (Vol. 13)

40) torrentglaxy.unblockninja.info (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2864- 2866 Folder IV (Vol. 14) 41)Tvshows4mobile.com (Defendant No.11) Pg.2891-2894 Folder IV (Vol.14)

42) southFreak.cc (Defendant No. 12) Pg.2959- 2962 Folder IV (Vol. 14)

43) SouthFreak.me (Defendant No. 12) Pg.2967- 2969 Folder IV (Vol. 14) 44)Southfreak.pw (Defendant No.12) Pg.2963-2964 Folder IV (Vol.14) 45) SouthFreak.com (Defendant No. 12) Pg.2972-2974 Folder IV (Vol. 14)

46) torrentfunk.unbocked.dk (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3009-3012 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

47) torrentfunk.unbocked.dk (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3009- 3012 Folder IV (Vol. 15) 48)Torrentfunk.unblocked.lc (Defendant No.13) Pg.3013-3014 Folder IV (Vol.15)

49) torrentfunk.unblocked.krd (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3017- 3020 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

50) torrentfunk.unblocked.sh (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3023- 3026 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

51) torrentfunk.unblocked.ink (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3029- 3031 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

52) torrentfunk.unblocked.pro (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3034- 3036 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

53) torrentfunk.unblocked.gdn (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3039- 3041 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

54) torrentfunk.unblocked.pl (Defendant No.13) Pg.3044- 3046 Folder IV (Vol. 15) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

55) torrentfunk.unblocked.win (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3049- 3052 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

56) torrentfunk.unblocked.app (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3055- 3057 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

57) torrentfunk.unblocked.llc (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3060-3062 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

58) torrentfunk.unblocked.vet (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3065- 3067 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

59) torrentfunk.unblocked.vc (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3070- 3072 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

60) torrentfunk.unblocked.mx (Defendant No. 13) Pg.3075- 3078 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

61) TodayPkfree.com (Defendant No. 14) Pg.3103- 3105 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

62) MovieEater.org (Defendant No. 15) Pg.3156- 3158 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

63) NovaMovie.net (Defendant No. 16) Pg.3226- 3228 Folder IV (Vol. 16)

64) HollyMovieHd.com (Defendant No. 17) Pg.3257- 3260 Folder IV (Vol. 16)

65) CiNevoOd.live (Defendant No. 18) Pg.3317- 3319 Folder IV (Vol. 16)

66) FreeMoviesWatchOnline.cc (Defendant No.19 ) Pg.3348- 3351 Folder IV (Vol. 16)

67) FreeMovieWatchOnline.me (Defendant No. 19) Pg.3352- 3354 Folder IV (Vol. 16)

68) FreeMoviesWatchOnline.net (Defendant No.19) Pg.3357- 3360 Folder IV (Vol. 16) 69)o2tseries.club (Defendant No. 32) I.A. No. 18427/219 Pg. No. 65-68 70) rutracker-net.ru (Defendant No.33) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg. No. 74-76 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 71) southfreak.club (Defendant No. 34) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg. No. 102-105

72) watchmoviesnow.co (Defendant No. 35) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg. No. 152-155 73) toptvshows.tv (Defendant No. 36) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg. No. 317-319 74)torrentgalaxy.unblockproject.red (Defendant No. 37) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg. No. 433-435

75) southfreak.info (Defendant No. 38) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. No. 97- 99 (Vol.1)

76) southfreak.vip (Defendant No. 39) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. No. 102- 105 (Vol.1)

77) southfreak.asia (Defendant No. 40) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. No. 108- 110 (Vol.1) 78)southfreak.work (Defendant No. 41) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. No. 113- 116 (Vol.1)

79) southfreak.casa (Defendant No. 42) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. No. 91- 94 (Vol.1)

80) freemovieswatchonline.ws (Defendant No. 43) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. No. 139- 141 (Vol.1)

81) o2tvseries.website (Defendant No. 44) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. No. 195- 198 (Vol.1)

82) torrentgalaxy.mx (Defendant No. 45) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. No. 356- 359 (Vol.2) 83) torrentgalaxy.su (Defendant No. 46) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. 517- 518 (Vol.3) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

84) watchmovies[1].com.pk (Defendant No. 47) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg.611-613 (Vol.3)

85) moviesonline.com.pk (Defendant No. 48) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg.616- 618 (Vol.3)

86) watchmovies[7].com.pk (Defendant No. 49) I.A. No. 8551/2020 606- 608 (Vol.3) 87) watchmovie.movie (Defendant No. 50) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg.644- 646 (Vol.3) 88) torrentfunk.com (Defendant No. 51) I.A. No. 7076/2021 Pg.63- 66

2. Copies of proof of ownership of movie titles a. Arrow (Series) Season 7 (Warner) Pg.45-90 Folder IV (Vol.1) b. Wonder Woman (Warner) Pg.91-92 Folder IV (Vol. 1) c. Gotham Series (Warner) Pg.93-94 Folder IV (Vol 1) d. Aquaman (Warner) Pg.95-96 Folder IV (Vol. 1)

3. Screenshots of Homepage of various websites (primary domains): 1)rutracker.org (Defendant No. 1) Pg. 587-602 Folder IV (Vol. 4)

2) cccp-rutracker.org (Defendant No. 1) Pg. 676-691 Folder IV (Vol. 4) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 3) rutcracker.net (Defendant No.1) Pg.762-777 Folder IV(Vol. 4) 4) MainTracker.org (Defendant No. 1) Pg.851-863 Folder IV (Vol. 5)

5) TodayTvSeries[2].com (Defendant No. 2) Pg.939-943 Folder IV (Vol.5)

6) TodayTvSeries.club (Defendant No. 2) Pg.987-989 Folder IV (Vol. 5)

7) TodayTvSeries.bid (Defendant No. 2) Pg.1020-1021 Folder IV (Vol. 5)

8) OnlineMovieWatch.org (Defendant No. 3) Pg.1070-1081 Folder IV (Vol.6) 9) 480ptvseries.com (Defendant No. 4) Pg.1143-1164 Folder IV (Vol. 6) 10)o2Tvseries.com (Defendant No.5) Pg.1269-1271 Folder IV(Vol.7) 11) O2TvSeries.co.za (Defendant No.5) Pg.1293-1294 Folder IV (Vol. 7)

12) O2TvSeries.co (Defendant No.5) Pg1315-1316 Folder IV (Vol. 7)

13) MovieZadDiction.info (Defendant No. 6) Pg.1341-1342 Folder IV(Vol. 7)

14) MovieZadDiction.live (Defendant No. 6) Pg.1346-1352 Folder IV (Vol. 7)

15) TopTvShows.io (Defendant No. 7) Pg.1398-1405 Folder IV (Vol. 7)

16) McUmoViesHome.com (Defendant No. 8) Pg.1625-1634 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

17) Magnetdl.com (Defendant No. 9) Pg.1675- 1679 Folder IV (Vol. 8) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

18) Magnetdl.Unblocked.dk (Defendant No.9) Pg.1692- 1696 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

19) TorrentGalaxy.to (Defendant No. 10) Pg.1733- 1773 Folder IV(Vol. 9)

20) torrentgalaxy.UnblockNinja.com (Defendant No. 10) Pg. 1916- 1939 Folder IV (Vol. 9)

21) torrentgalaxy.unblockproject.icu (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2018- 2062 Folder IV (Vol. 10)

22) torrentgalaxy.123unblock.fun (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2154- 2197 Folder IV(Vol. 11)

23) torrentgalaxy.nocensor.casa (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2290- 2333 Folder IV (Vol. 11)

24) torrentgalaxy.proX4You.pro (Defendant No 10) Pg.2434- 2477 Folder IV (Vol. 12) 25)torrentgalaxy.proxybit.pro (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2578- 2622 Folder IV (Vol. 13) 26)torrentgalaxy.unblockninja.info (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2722- 2765 Folder IV (Vol. 13) 27)Tvshows4mobile.com (Defendant No.11) Pg.2867-2869 Folder IV (Vol.14)

28) SouthFreak.cc (Defendant No. 12) Pg.2895- 2901 Folder IV (Vol. 14)

29) torrentfunk.unbocked.dk (Defendant No. 13) Pg.2977- 2978 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

30) TodayPkfree.com (Defendant No. 14) Pg.3081- 3083 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

31) MovieEater.org (Defendant No. 15) Pg.3106- 3112 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

32) NovaMovie.net (Defendant No. 16) Pg.3159- 3161 Folder IV (Vol. 15) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

33) HollyMovieHd.com (Defendant No. 17) Pg.3229- 3230 Folder IV (Vol. 16)

34) CiNevoOd.live (Defendant No. 18) Pg.3261- 3264 Folder IV (Vol. 16)

35) FreeMoviesWatchOnline.cc (Defendant No. 19) Pg.3320- 3322 Folder IV (Vol. 16)

36) o2tseries.club (Defendant No. 32) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg.56-59 37) rutracker-net.ru (Defendant No.33) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg.69-70 38) southfreak.club (Defendant No. 34) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg.77-83

39) watchmoviesnow.co (Defendant No. 35) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg.106-110 40) toptvshows.tv (Defendant No. 36) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg.156- 159

41) torrentgalaxy.unblockproject.red (Defendant No. 37) I.A. No. 18427/2019 Pg.320- 324 42) Southfreak.info (Defendant No.38) I.A. No.8551/2020 Pg.55-63 43) southfreak.casa (Defendant No. 42) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg.55- 69

44) freemovieswatchonline.ws (Defendant No. 43) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg.117- 119

45) O2TvSeries.website (Defendant No. 44) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg.142- 144 46) torrentgalaxy.mx (Defendant No. 45) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. 199- 252 47) torrentgalaxy.su (Defendant No. 46) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg.360- 415(Vol.2) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 48)Watchmovies[1].com.pk (Defendant No.47) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg.519-533(Vol.3)

49) watchmovies[7].com.pk (Defendant No. 49) I.A. No. 8551/2020 519- 529(Vol.3) 50) Watchmovie.movie (Defendant No. 50) I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg.619 - 623(Vol.3) 51) torrentfunk.com (Defendant No 51) I.A. No. 7076/2021 Pg.58-61

4. Printout of proof of infringement by websites (primary domains):

1) rutracker.org (Defendant No. 1) Pg.603-608 Folder IV (Vol. 4)

2) cccp-rutracker.org (Defendant No. 1) Pg.692-697 Folder IV (Vol. 4)

3) rutcracker.net (Defendant No.1) Pg.778-783 Folder IV (Vol. 4)

4) Maintracker.org (Defendant No.1) Pg.868-873 Folder IV (Vol. 5)

5) TodayTvSeries[2].com (Defendant No. 2) Pg.957-976 Folder IV (Vol.5)

6) TodayTvSeries.club (Defendant No. 2) Pg.999-1008 Folder IV (Vol.5) 7) TodayTvSeries.bid (Defendant No. 2) Pg.1025-1047 Folder IV (Vol. 5)

8) OnlineMovieWatch.org (Defendant No.3) Pg. 1081-1085 Folder IV (Vol. 6)

9) 480ptvseries.com (Defendant No. 4) Pg.1202-1229 Folder IV (Vol. 6) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 10)o2tvseries.com (Defendant No.5) Pg.1278-1283 Folder IV (Vol.7) 11) O2TvSeries.co.za (Defendant No.5) Pg.1297-1307 Folder IV (Vol. 7)

12) O2TvSeries.co (Defendant No.5) Pg. 1323-1332 Folder IV (Vol. 7)

13) Moviezaddiction.live (Defendant No.6) Pg.1356-1385 Folder IV (Vol.7) 14) TopTvShows.io (Defendant No. 7) Pg.1438-1443 Folder IV (Vol. 7)

15) McUmoViesHome.com (Defendant No. 8) Pg.1649-1669 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

16) Magnetdl.com (Defendant No. 9) Pg.1680- 1686 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

17) Magnetdl.Unblocked.dk (Defendant No. 9) Pg.1697- 1701 Folder IV (Vol. 8)

18) TorrentGalaxy.to (Defendant No. 10) Pg.1791- 1803 Folder IV (Vol. 9) 19)Torrentgalaxy.unblockninja.com (Defendant No.10) Pg.1932-1940 Folder IV (Vol.9)

20) Torrentgalaxy.unblockProject.icu (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2071- 2084 Folder IV (Vol. 10)

21) torrentgalaxy.123Unblock.fun (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2206- 2219 Folder IV (Vol. 11)

22) torrentgalaxy.nocensor.casa (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2342- 2363 Folder IV (Vol. 11)

23) torrentgalaxy.proX4You.pro (Defendant No 10) Pg.2494- 2507 Folder IV (Vol. 12) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

24) torrentgalaxy.proxybit.pro (Defendant No.10) Pg.2639- 2652 Folder IV (Vol. 13)

25) torrentglaxy.unblockninja.info (Defendant No. 10) Pg.2782-2795 Folder IV (Vol. 13) 26)Tvshows4mobile.com (Defendant No.11) Pg.2871-2885 Folder IV (Vol.14)

27) southFreak.cc (Defendant No. 12) Pg.2925- 2939 Folder IV (Vol. 14)

28) torrentfunk.unbocked.dk (Defendant No. 13) Pg.2990-2998 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

29) TodayPkfree.com (Defendant No. 14) Pg.3088- 3100 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

30) MovieEater.org (Defendant No. 15) Pg.3119- 3127 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

31) NovaMovie.net (Defendant No. 16) Pg.3167- 3179 Folder IV (Vol. 15)

32) HollyMovieHd.com (Defendant No. 17) Pg.3234-3256 Folder IV (Vol.16) 33) CiNevoOd.live (Defendant No. 18) Pg.3272- 3281 Folder IV (Vol. 16)

34) FreeMoviesWatchOnline.cc (Defendant No. 19) Pg.3323- 3326 Folder IV (Vol. 16)

5. Printouts of the DMCA, FAQ, etc. pages, evidencing infringing nature of the Defendant Websites: 1)Todaytvseries[2].com (Defendant No.2) DMCA Pg.949-951 Folder IV (Vol.5) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 2)Todaytvseries[2].com (Defendant No.2) Contact Us Pg.944-948 Folder IV (Vol.5)

3) TodayTvSeries.club (Defendant No. 2) DMCA Pg.990 Folder IV (Vol.5) 4) 480ptvseries.com (Defendant No.4) DMCA Pg.1165-1169 Folder IV (Vol.6) 5) 480ptvseries.com (Defendant No.4) Contact Us Pg.1170-1173 Folder IV (Vol.6)

6) Moviezaddiction.live (Defendant No.6) DMCA Pg.1353-1355 Folder IV (Vol.7) 7) TopTvShows.io (Defendant No. 7) DMCA Pg.1411-1412 Folder IV (Vol.7) 8) McUmoViesHome.com (Defendant No.8) DMCA Pg.1635-1642 Folder IV (Vol.8) 9) TorrentGalaxy.to (Defendant No. 10) DMCA Pg.1774-1781 Folder IV (Vol.9)

10) Torrentgalaxy.unblockninja.com (Defendant No.10) DMCA Pg.1916-1925 Folder IV (Vol.9)

11) torrentgalaxy.nocensor.casa (Defendant No. 10) DMCA Pg.2334-2341 Folder IV (Vol.11) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

12) torrentgalaxy.proX4You.pro (Defendant No 10) DMCA Pg.2478-2485 Folder IV (Vol.12)

13) torrentgalaxy.proxybit.pro (Defendant No.10) DMCA Pg.2623-2630 Folder IV (Vol 13)

14) torrentglaxy.unblockninja.info (Defendant No. 10) DMCA Pg.2766-2733 Folder IV (Vol.13) 15) southFreak.cc (Defendant No. 12) DMCA Pg.2902-2908 Folder IV (Vol.14) 16) TodayPkfree.com (Defendant No. 14) DMCA Pg.3086-3087 Folder IV (Vol.15) 17) Southfreak.info (Defendant No.38) DMCA I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. 64-69 (Vol.1) 18) torrentgalaxy.mx (Defendant No. 45) DMCA I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. 253- 261 (Vol.2) 19)torrentgalaxy.su (Defendant No. 46) DMCA I.A. No. 8551/2020 Pg. 416-422 (Vol.2)

14. I have heard the learned counsel for the Plaintiff.

15. In UTV Software (supra), a Coordinate Bench of this Court, as far as rogue websites are concerned, identified the following illustrative 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 factors to be considered in determining whether a particular website falls within that class:

“59. In the opinion of this Court, some of the

factors to be considered for determining whether

the website complained of is a FIOL/Rogue

Website are:-

a. whether the primary purpose of the website is to commit or facilitate copyright infringement;

b. the flagrancy of the infringement, or the flagrancy of the facilitation of the infringement;

c. Whether the detail of the registrant is masked and no personal or traceable detail is available either of the Registrant or of the user.

d. Whether there is silence or inaction by such website after receipt of take down notices pertaining to copyright infringement.

e. Whether the online location makes available or contains directories, indexes or categories of the means to infringe, or facilitate an infringement of, copyright;

f. Whether the owner or operator of the online location demonstrates a disregard for copyright generally;

g. Whether access to the online location has been disabled by orders from any court of another country or territory on the ground of or related to copyright infringement;

h. whether the website contains guides or instructions to circumvent measures, or any order of any court, that disables access to the website on the ground of or related to copyright infringement; and i. the volume of traffic at or frequency of access to the website;

j. Any other relevant matter. 60. This Court clarifies that the aforementioned factors are illustrative and not exhaustive and do not apply to intermediaries as they are governed by IT Act, having statutory immunity and function in a wholly different manner. xxxxx 69. Consequently, the real test for examining whether a website is a Rogue Website is a qualitative approach and not a quantitative one.”

2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

16. This Court, in UTV Software (supra) further held as under:

“29. It is important to realise that piracy reduces jobs, exports and overall competitiveness in addition to standards of living for a nation and its citizens. More directly, online piracy harms the artists and creators, both the struggling as well as the rich and famous, who create content, as well as the technicians-sound engineers, editors, set designers, software and game designers-who produce it and those who support its marketing, distribution and end sales. Consequently, online piracy has had a very real and tangible impact on the film industry and rights of the owners. 30. The Indian Copyright Act, 1957 (“the Copyright Act”) confers a bundle of exclusive rights on the owner of a “work” and provides for remedies in case the copyright is infringed. xxxxx 34. The above definitions make it clear that making any work available for being seen or heard by the public whether simultaneously or at places chosen individually, regardless of whether the public actually sees the film, will constitute communication of the film to the public. The intent was to include digital copies of works, which would include within its scope digital copies of works being made available online (as opposed to the physical world). Communication can be by various means such as directly or by display or diffusion. In this context, definition of “broadcast” is also relevant which identifies communication to public by wireless diffusion or by wire. Thus, making available of a film for streaming or downloads in the form of digital copies on the internet is within the scope of “communication to the public”. 35. It is pertinent to note that the definition of “communication to the public” was first added in the Copyright Act by the 1983 Amendment and was as follows:- “Communication to the public” means communication to the public in whatever manner, including communication though satellite”.

2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 xxxxx

53. Also should an infringer of the copyright on the Internet be treated differently from an infringer in the physical world? If the view of the aforesaid Internet exceptionalists school of thought is accepted, then all infringers would shift to the e-world and claim immunity!

54. A world without law is a lawless world. In fact, this Court is of the view that there is no logical reason why a crime in the physical world is not a crime in the digital world especially when the Copyright Act does not make any such distinction. xxxxx

80. In the opinion of this Court, while blocking is antithetical to efforts to preserve a “free and open” Internet, it does not mean that every website should be freely accessible. Even the most vocal supporters of Internet freedom recognize that it is legitimate to remove or limit access to some materials online, such as sites that facilitate child pornography and terrorism. Undoubtedly, there is a serious concern associated with blocking orders that it may prevent access to legitimate content. There is need for a balance in approach and policies to avoid unnecessary cost or impact on other interests and rights. Consequently, the onus is on the right holders to prove to the satisfaction of the Court that each website they want to block is primarily facilitating wide spread copyright infringement. xxxxxx

82. One can easily see the appeal in passing a URL blocking order, which adequately addresses over-blocking. A URL specific order need not affect the remainder of the website. However, right-holders claim that approaching the Court or the ISPs again and again is cumbersome, particularly in the case of websites promoting rampant piracy.

83. This Court is of the view that to ask the plaintiffs to identify individual infringing URLs would not be proportionate or practicable as it would require the plaintiffs to expend considerable effort and cost in notifying long lists 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 of URLs to ISPs on a daily basis. The position might have been different if defendants' websites had a substantial proportion of non-infringing content, but that is not the case.

84. This Court is of the view that while passing a website blocking injunction order, it would have to also consider whether disabling access to the online location is in the public interest and a proportionate response in the circumstances and the impact on any person or class of persons likely to be affected by the grant of injunction. The Court order must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive, but must not create barriers to legitimate trade. The measures must also be fair and not excessively costly (See: Loreal v. Ebay, [Case C 324/09]). xxxxxx

86. Consequently, website blocking in the case of rogue websites, like the defendant-websites, strikes a balance between preserving the benefits of a free and open Internet and efforts to stop crimes such as digital piracy.

87. This Court is also of the opinion that it has the power to order ISPs and the DoT as well as MEITY to take measures to stop current infringements as well as if justified by the circumstances prevent future ones.”

16. It is notable that the Plaintiff had filed similar application under Order XIII-A of the CPC (as applicable to commercial disputes) in similar suit, being Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. https://Otorrents.Com & Ors., (CS (COMM) 367 of 2019); Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v.https://www[2].Filmlinks4u.is& Ors., (CS (COMM) 368 of 2019); Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v.http://Mp4moviez.Io & Ors., (CS (COMM) 399 of 2019); and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. https://WWW.TAMILROCKERMOVIES.COM & Ors.(CS (COMM) 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 419 of 2019), wherein this Court, relying on the judgement, UTV Software (supra) has decreed the suits in favor of the Plaintiff.

17. In the present case, vide order dated 18.09.2019, this Court had granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction against the Defendant Nos. 1 to 19 (and such other domains/domain owners/website operators/entities which are discovered during the course of the proceedings to have been engaging in infringing the Plaintiff's exclusive rights), their owners, partners, proprietors, officers, servants, employees, and all others in capacity of principal or agent acting for and on their behalf, or anyone claiming through, by or under it, are restrained from, hosting, streaming, reproducing, distributing, making available to the public and/or communicating to the public, or facilitating the same, in any manner, on their websites, through the internet any cinematograph work/content/programme/ show in relation to which Plaintiff has copyright.

18. Vide the same order, this Court had directed the Defendant Nos. 20 to 28 to block the domain names and its URLs with the IP addresses mentioned in the table hereinbelow: Defendant No.

S. No. Domains URLs IP Addresses 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

1. 1. rutracker.or g https://rutracker.org 195.82.146.21

2. rutracker.net https://rutracker.net/ 195.82.146.21

3. maintrac ker.org http://1.maintrack er.org/forum/inde x.php 37.1.216.121

4. mkvtomp[4].r u http://mkvtomp[4].ru 109.70.27.[4]

5. cccprutracker.or g http://tt.cccprutracke r.org/forum/index.ph p 37.1.206.118

6. mainrutracker.or g http://mainrutracker.org/forum/i ndex.php 37.1.206.127

2. 7. todaytvser ies[2].com http://www.todayt vseries[2].com/ 185.112.156.[5]

8. todaytvs eries.clu b https://www.today tvseries.club/ 104.31.80.148 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

9. todaytvs eries.bid https://todaytvseri es.bid/ 104.31.81.148

3. 10. onlinem ovie watch.or g https://onlinemovi ewatch.org 192.124.249.[1]

11. omwmovie.com https://omwmovie.com 104.18.38.152 104.18.39.[1]

12. onlinem oviewat ch.li https://onlinemovi ewatch.li 104.28.14.188 104.28.15.[1]

13. onlinem ovie watchs. ws http://onlinemovie watchs.ws 104.18.42.95 104.18.43.[9]

14. onlinem ovie watchs.b z http://onlinemovie watchs.bz 104.27.168. 94 104.27.169.

4. 15. 480ptvseri es.com https://www.480p tvseries.com/ 208.91.198.13

5. 16. o2tvseri es.com http://o2tvseries.com 163.172.11 0.117

17. o2tvseri es.co.za https://o2tvseries.c o.za 163.172.11 0.117 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

18. o2tvseri es.co http://o2tvseries.co/ 104.24.116.66 104.24.117.

6. 19. movieza ddiction.i nfo https://www.movi ezaddiction.info 104.27.176.24 104.27.177.

20. movieza ddiction.l ive https://moviezadd iction.live/ 104.27.150.20 104.27.151.

7. 21. optvshows.io http://toptvshows.io 104.24.126.38 104.24.127.

22. toptvshows.co http://toptvshows.co/ 104.18.46.188 104.18.47.[1]

23. toptvsho ws.me http://toptvshows.me 104.24.114.23 104.24.115.

24. toptvshows.cc http://toptvshows.cc 104.27.170.12 104.27.171.

25. toptvsho ws.net http://toptvshows.net 104.28.8.60 104.28.9.60 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

8. 26. mcumovi eshome.c om https://mcumovies home.com/ 185.53.90.11

9. 27. magnetdl.com http://www.magn etdl.com 104.27.166. 104.27.167.

28. magnetdl.unblock ed.dk https://magnetdl.u nblocked.dk/ 104.26.2.213 104.26.3.21

29. magnetdl.unblock ed.live magnetdl.unblock ed.live 104.18.36.230 104.18.37.[2]

30. magnetdl.unblock ed.vip magnetdl.unblock ed.vip 104.18.50.219 104.18.51.[2]

31. magnetdl.unblock ed.ist magnetdl.unblock ed.ist 104.31.68.62 104.31.69.[6]

32. magnetdl.unblock ed.uno magnetdl.unblock ed.uno 104.31.94.[3] 104.31.95.[3]

33. magnetdl.unblock ed.onl magnetdl.unblock ed.onl 104.27.162.92 104.27.163.

10. 34. torrentgala xy.to https://torrentgala xy.to/ 104.24.100.72 104.24.101. 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

35. torrentgala xy.unblock ninja.com https://torrentgala xy.unblockninja.c om/ 104.27.178.24 104.27.179.

36. torrentgala xy.unblock project.icu https://torrentgala xy.unblockproject.icu/ 104.27.160.92 104.27.161.

37. torrentgal axy.123u nblock.fu n https://torrentgala xy.123unblock.fu n/ 104.28.12.166 104.28.13.[1]

38. torrentgal axy.nocen sor.casa https://torrentgala xy.nocensor.casa/ 104.24.108.19 104.24.109.

39. torrentgal axy.prox4you.pro https://torrentgala xy.prox4you.pro/ 104.24.96.212 104.24.97.[2]

40. torrentgal axy.proxy bit.pro https://torrentgala xy.proxybit.pro/ 104.27.180.73 104.27.181.

41. torrentgal axy.unblockn inja.info https://torrentgala xy.unblockninja.i nfo/ 104.31.68.156 104.31.69.[1] 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

11. 42. tvshows[4] mobile.c om http://tvshows4m obile.com/ 163.172.110.[1]

12. 43. southfrea k.cc https://southfreak.cc 104.31.74.161 104.31.75.[1]

44. southfreak. me https://southfreak.me/ 104.28.26.129 104.28.27.[1]

45. southfrea k.pw https://southfreak.pw 104.24.104.19 104.24.105.

46. southfrea k.com https://southfreak. com 104.28.10.117 104.28.11.[1]

13. 47. torrentfu nk.unblo cked.dk https://torrentfunk. unblocked.dk 104.26.2.213 104.26.3.21

48. torrentfu nk.unblo cked.lc https://torrentfunk. unblocked.lc 104.27.142. 32 104.27.143.

49. torrentfun k.unblock ed.krd https://torrentfunk. unblocked.krd 104.27.142.32 104.27.143.

50. torrentfu nk.u nblocked. sh https://torrentfunk. unblocked.sh 104.18.56.181 104.18.57.[1] 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

51. torrentfu nk.unblo cked.ink http://torrentfunk. unblocked.ink 104.31.16.[3] 104.31.17.[3]

52. torrentfun k.u nblocked. pro https://torrentfunk. unblocked.pro 104.31.16.[3] 104.31.17.[3]

53. torrentfu nk.unblo cked.gd n https://torrentfunk. unblocked.gdn 104.31.18.30 104.31.19.[3]

54. torrentfu nk.unblo cked.pl https://torrentfunk. unblocked.pl 104.27.184.40 104.27.185.

55. torrentfun k.unblock ed.win https://torrentfunk. unblocked.win 104.24.120.15 104.24.121.

56. torrentfunk.unblocked.app https://torrentfunk. unblocked.app 104.31.16.[3] 104.31.17.[3]

57. torrentfunk.unblocked.llc https://torrentfunk. unblocked.llc 104.31.16.[3] 104.31.17.[3]

58. torrentfunk. unblocked.v et https://torrentfunk. unblocked.vet 104.31.18.30 104.31.19.[3]

59. torrentfunk.unblocked.vc https://torrentfunk. unblocked.vc 104.24.102. 104.24.103. 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

60. torrentfunk.unblocked.mx https://torrentfunk. unblocked.mx 104.31.18.30 104.31.19.[3]

14. 61. todaypkfre e.com https://www[2].tod aypkfree.com https://www[4].tod aypkfree.com https://www[3].tod aypkfree.com http://todaypkfree.com 104.18.56.198 104.18.57.[1]

15. 62. movieeater.org https://movieeater. org/ 104.18.32.202 104.18.33.[2]

16. 63. novamovie.net https://www.nova movie.net/ 104.18.44.114 104.18.45.[1]

17. 64. hollymovi ehd.com https://www[3].hol lymoviehd.com http://hollymoviehd. com 104.28.8.220 104.28.9.22 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

18. 65. cinevood.l ive https://cinevood.l ive/ 104.27.170.17 104.27.171.

19. 66. freemovie swatchonli ne.cc http://www.freemo vieswatchonline.cc / 104.28.2.103 104.28.3.10

67. freemovie swatchonli ne.me http://www.freemo vieswatchonline.m e 104.24.104. 104.24.105.

68. freemovie swatchonli ne.net https://freemoviesw a tchonline.net 194.145.20 9.115

19. The learned counsel for the Plaintiff submits that pursuant to the ex-parte ad-interim order dated 18.09.2019, the Defendant No. 29 has issued a notification in compliance. The learned counsel for the Plaintiff further states that the Defendant Nos. 20 to 28 have blocked the rogue websites, that is, the Defendant Nos. 1 to 19 and 32 to 51‟s websites.

20. Also, vide the same order, this Court also observed the following: 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019

“19. Further, as held by this court in UTV Software Communication Ltd. (supra), in order for this court to be freed from constant monitoring and adjudicating the issues of mirror/redirect/alphanumeric websites it is directed that as and when Plaintiff files an application under Order I Rule 10 for impleadment of such websites, Plaintiff shall file an affidavit confirming that the newly impleaded website is mirror/redirect/alphanumeric website with sufficient supporting evidence. Such application shall be listed before the Joint Registrar, who on being satisfied with the material placed on record, shall issue directions to the ISPs to disable access in India to such mirror/redirect/alphanumeric websites”.

21. In light of the aforesaid direction, the Plaintiff filed applications under Order I Rule 10 of CPC for the impleadment of the Defendant Nos. 32 to 51 in the present suit proceedings, being I.A. No. 18427 of 2019, I.A. No. 8551 of 2020, and I.A. No. 7076/2021, which were allowed by this Court vide orders dated 24.12.2019, 30.09.2019 and 12.07.2021 respectively, and the ex-parte ad-interim order dated 18.09.2019 was thereby extended to Defendant Nos. 32 to 51.

22. On 09.05.2022, the learned Joint Registrar (Judicial) passed the following order in regard to the Defendants:- “No written statement filed by newly impleaded defendant no.51despite service. All of the contesting defendants against whom substantial relief has been sought by the plaintiff have been served, however they have not prefered to appear to contest this case or to file written statement and affidavit of admission/denial of documents. In this regard law shall take its own course. 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 Learned counsel for plaintiff submits that there is no document for admission/denial of documents. Hence, pleadings stand complete. Other defendants who were supposed to comply with interim directions have already complied with. Let the matter be placed before the Hon’ble Court for further directions on 20.07.2022.”

23. Since the Defendant Nos. 1 to 19 and 32 to 51 are not appearing despite notice, and have been proceeded ex-parte, in my opinion, the suit can be heard and decided summarily. The Defendant Nos. 1 to 19 and 32 to 51 have no real prospect of successfully defending the claim of copyright infringement and have further not chosen to contest the said claim. The present matter is mainly concerned with the enforcement of the injunction orders which are passed against the rogue websites who do not have any defense to the claim of copyright infringement but use the anonymity offered by the internet to engage in illegal activities, such as copyright infringement in the present case.

24. On the basis of the evidence placed on record and keeping in mind the factors identified by this Court in UTV Software (supra), I find that there is sufficient evidence to hold that the Defendant nos. 1 to 19 and 32 to 51 are “rogue websites” and that this is a fit case for passing a Summary Judgment invoking the provisions of Order XIIIA of the CPC, as applicable to the commercial disputes.

25. In UTV Software (supra), the Court also examined the issue of grant of dynamic injunctions and permitted subsequent impleadment of mirror/redirect/alphanumeric websites which provide access to the rogue websites, by filing an application under Order I Rule 10 of the CPC before the learned Joint Registrar (Judicial) alongwith an affidavit with 2022:DHC:3534 CS(COMM) 515/2019 supporting evidence, confirming that the proposed website is mirror/redirect/alphanumeric website of the injuncted defendant websites. At the request of the counsel for the Plaintiff, the same directions are liable to be made in this case also.

26. Accordingly, I.A. No. 11119 of 2022 under Order XIIIA of CPC, as applicable to commercial disputes, seeking a Summary Judgment is allowed. All the pending applications are also disposed of.

27. The suit is decreed in terms of prayers (i), (ii) and (iii) of the Plaint. The Plaintiff is also permitted to implead any mirror/redirect/alphanumeric websites which provide access to the Defendants Nos. 1 to 19, 32-37, 38-50, and 51‟s websites by filing an appropriate application under Order I Rule 10 of the CPC, supported by affidavits and evidence as directed in UTV Software (supra). Any website impleaded as a result of such application will be subject to the same decree.

28. Let a decree sheet be drawn up accordingly.

NAVIN CHAWLA, J. SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. Rutracker.org & Ors.

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