High Court
With eye on China, Star creates new government affairs post, Joe Welch to head
MUMBAI: Star has created a new post to handle government and regulatory affairs. Joe Welch has been appointed as senior vice president government affairs, and will oversee public policy issues related to Star’s operations.
“We are expanding in China and Taiwan. There is a need to understand the regulatory climate in these and the other Asian markets where we are present,” a source in Star said. India, however will not fall under Welch’s supervision at the moment, the source added.
Welch will report to Star CEO Michelle Guthrie.
Welch was previously the regional director of government and regulatory affairs for MCI Asia Pacific with responsibility for the company’s operations in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Mainland China, Australia, Singapore, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.
Prior to joining MCI in 2000, Welch served as Telecommunications Business Consultant for Booz Allen & Hamilton, working in its Thai, Indonesian and Singapore offices. Welch also worked closely with key Malaysian policy makers to develop plans for the regulation of the country’s telecom and media sectors.
Educated in the US, Welch holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Political Science from Amherst College in Massachusetts and a law degree from Santa Clara University, California.
High Court
Delhi HC blocks illegal IPL 2026 streams, backs JioStar rights
Court orders swift takedowns, expands crackdown on piracy apps
NEW DELHI: In a timely move ahead of the cricketing season, the Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to JioStar India Private Limited, clamping down on illegal streaming of the TATA Indian Premier League 2026.
The court passed ex parte ad interim injunctions in two separate suits, restraining rogue websites and mobile applications from broadcasting IPL matches without authorisation. The tournament is set to begin on 28 March, making the timing of the order particularly significant.
Recognising JioStar’s exclusive digital and broadcast rights for the IPL cycle from 2023 to 2027, the court observed that unauthorised streaming would infringe its statutory and proprietary rights, potentially causing irreparable losses.
In one case, the court directed several identified websites to immediately stop hosting or streaming IPL content. It also issued a dynamic injunction, allowing JioStar to flag new infringing platforms in real time, which must then be blocked swiftly by domain registrars and internet service providers.
In a parallel order, the court turned its attention to piracy through mobile apps, particularly Android-based platforms distributing content via APK files. A broader dynamic+ injunction was granted, extending to future variants, mirror links and related interfaces, signalling a tougher stance on evolving piracy tactics.
The court also directed domain name registrars to suspend offending domains and share registrant details, including KYC and payment information. Internet service providers and telecom operators have been instructed to block access within strict timelines, in some instances within 36 hours. Both the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology have been asked to facilitate enforcement through necessary notifications.
Noting the fast-changing nature of digital piracy, the court emphasised the need for real-time enforcement tools to keep pace with anonymous and constantly shifting networks. It also underlined the commercial impact of piracy on legitimate rights holders.
The ruling reinforces the judiciary’s firm stance on protecting intellectual property in the digital age. For viewers, it is a reminder to stick to official platforms as the IPL season kicks off under tighter watch.
