High Court
Calcutta HC vacates stay on TRAI tariff order, hands LCOs time till 8 February
MUMBAI: In a major development, the Calcutta High Court, which has jurisdiction over West Bengal and the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on Thursday vacated the stay imposed by it on the implementation of the tariff order till February 18.
Local cable operators (LCOs) have now been given time till 8 February to negotiate contracts with multi-system operators (MSOs). Thereon, revenue share within the distribution value chain will be split in line with the TRAI’s tariff order.
On Wednesday, the court had asked the TRAI to submit a report on the matter on 13 February, which is when the next hearing was due to take place. The court’s directive was a result of 80 cable operators filing a petition against the TRAI mandate.
However, realizing the urgency of the situation, the regulator's lawyers, on Wednesday itself, filed an application to vacate the stay.
In its application, TRAI had argued that the court had been misled by the petitioners, and placed the Supreme Court judgment in the court.
The petitioners’ lawyer Debabrata Saha Roy argued that the revenue-sharing model under the new regime will significantly reduce the cable operators’ share to just nine per cent.
With 80% will go into the broadcasters’ kitty, MSOs stand to get just 11 per cent, thus making it an unsustainable business proposition for operators.
Earlier the regulator had offered an extension till 31 January to the distribution platform operators (DPOs) for implementation.
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.
