High Court
Delhi HC adjourns India rights case to 13 September
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has adjourned till Tuesday, 13 September, the hearing of the Zee Telefilms versus Indian cricket board case in regards to bidding for cricket telecast rights in India. |
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While announcing the adjournment, the court observed that if the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to open the technical bids, it could go ahead and do so. The only rider the court attached to the observation was that if the BCCI found Zee to be ineligible to bid for India rights, then it should get back to it by the 13th stating the reasons for its decision. |
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This development took place after the counsel for Zee Telefilms submitted before the court that the BCCI could open the technical bids to verify the eligibility of the media company.  Efforts made by Indiantelevision.com to elicit a response from BCCI proved futile. In the earlier hearing held on 31 August, the board had assured the court that it would not decide on bids for grant of India cricket rights for the next four years till September 8, when the hearing on Zee Telefilm’s petition, challenging the eligibility conditions, were to resume. Zee had sought an interim order to restrain the BCCI from deciding the bids till the next date as “it would prejudice the interest of the petitioner, which has demanded quashing of BCCI’s ‘invitation to tender’ (ITT) for cricket telecast rights in India on the ground that the eligibility conditions were framed to oust Indian bidders.” |
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.
