Viacom18 scores big with another John Doe injunction order for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Viacom18 scores big with another John Doe injunction order for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Viacom18 strikes again with another John Doe Order and this time, for one of the biggest and the much-anticipated global sporting events – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

In a Commercial Suit filed before the Hon'ble Madras High Court, Viacom18 Media Private Limited ("Viacom18") has secured a John Doe injunction order to protect infringement of copyrights for the 22nd season of FIFA World Cup, which is all set to launch on 20th November 2022 in Qatar. The entire event is scheduled to be aired on their channels "Sports18", "Sports18 HD", "MTV" and "MTV HD" amongst other Viacom18 channels and its authorised platforms.

"FIFA World Cup" is a global football event hosted quadrennially. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is the 22nd FIFA World Cup which is scheduled to take place in Qatar from 20th November 2022 to 18th December 2022. The glorious tournament involves participation of 32 nations/ teams. The entire series will be broadcasted live on Viacom18 channels and streamed/ live streamed on its authorised platforms.

While granting the Order in favour of Viacom18, the Hon'ble Madras High Court was pleased to examine and appreciate the essential ingredients for the grant of an injunction order being prima facie case, balance of convenience and irreversible injury incapable of being compensated in terms of monetary compensation.

The injunction order restrains more than 12,000 specified websites, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), MSOs, LCOs and all other and unknown parties from carrying content that violates Viacom18's copyrights in the broadcast and other transmission rights for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. With such an injunction, if Viacom18 finds that any entity or person are violating its copyrights, it can initiate contemptuous action against them, apart from initiating other criminal action. The Court has further directed blocking of websites/ webpages if required, for the purpose of giving effect to the injunction order.

Injunction orders in the nature of John Doe re-affirms the faith of the owner/ licensee/ assignee of IP rights. With such orders being passed by the Courts, it has become possible to unearth the identities of those hiding behind the cloak of anonymity on the internet.

Anil Lale (General Counsel, Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd.): FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is one of the biggest global events and we are happy to be associated with it. Viacom18 has always been at the forefront in the fight against piracy. I am sure this is a welcome step for all the football and sports fans as also for bonafide broadcasters like us who spend huge sums to get the live feed. We have always believed in adopting pro-active and pre-emptive measures so as to prevent piracy or infringement at a pre-mature stage.

Within a very short span of launching our sports channel, we have initiated quia timet action and succeeded in procuring back-to-back injunctive reliefs in various sports events like Road Safety World Series League, Diamond League, La Liga in an attempt to curtail piracy and give our patrons the best viewing experience.