Delhi High Court Orders Real-Time Blocking of Rogue Apps and Websites Illegally Streaming ICC Cricket World Cups

Delhi High Court Orders Real-Time Blocking of Rogue Apps and Websites Illegally Streaming ICC Cricket World Cups

Introduction

The Delhi High Court has granted urgent interim relief to JioStar India Private Limited, directing the real-time blocking of websites and mobile applications illegally streaming the ongoing ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026. The Court held that digital piracy through rogue apps and websites poses a recurring and serious threat to copyright holders and requires strict judicial intervention.

Factual Background

JioStar India Private Limited is the exclusive holder of television, digital and ancillary media rights in India for ICC cricket events for the 2024–2027 cycle. This includes the ongoing Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026, scheduled to commence on February 7, 2026.

JioStar approached the High Court after discovering that several rogue websites and mobile applications were unlawfully streaming live matches from these tournaments without authorisation, thereby infringing its copyright and broadcast reproduction rights.

Procedural Background

JioStar instituted a commercial suit before the Delhi High Court seeking urgent injunctive relief against the operators of the infringing platforms, as well as directions to internet service providers (ISPs), government authorities and domain name registrars to block access to such platforms. The matter was heard ex parte due to the urgency involved and the transient nature of online piracy.

Issues

1. Whether the illegal streaming of live cricket tournaments infringes JioStar’s exclusive copyright and broadcast rights.

2. Whether real-time blocking directions against websites and mobile applications are necessary to prevent irreparable harm.

Contentions of the Parties

JioStar contended that it holds exclusive rights to broadcast and digitally stream the ICC tournaments in India and that unauthorised streaming by rogue apps and websites directly undermines its statutory rights and commercial interests. It argued that given the live nature of sports broadcasts, any delay in blocking infringing platforms would render remedies ineffective and result in irreversible revenue loss.

Since the matter was heard ex parte, there were no competing submissions from the defendants.

Reasoning and Analysis

The bench of Justice Jyoti SIngh noted that piracy through rogue mobile applications and websites is a recurring phenomenon, particularly during major sporting events, and requires a firm and proactive response. It observed that one of the tournaments was already underway and another was imminent, making immediate relief essential.

The Court held that delay in blocking infringing platforms would lead to irreparable injury by diluting JioStar’s exclusive rights and causing substantial financial loss. Emphasising the need for swift enforcement, the Court permitted JioStar to directly notify ISPs, domain name registrars, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the Department of Telecommunications of infringing URLs, websites and applications, which were required to be blocked immediately upon such intimation.

Decision

The Delhi High Court granted an ex parte ad-interim injunction directing real-time blocking of websites and mobile applications illegally streaming the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026. The Court authorised JioStar to communicate details of infringing platforms to ISPs and government authorities, who were directed to act without delay.

In this case the plaintiff was represented by Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Yatinder Garg, Mr. Priyansh Kohli, Ms. Ishi Singh and Mr. Manish Singh, Advocates.