High Court
Delhi HC rejects government’s plea on CAS
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court today orally rejected the government’s plea for granting it three months time to sort out issues related to conditional access system (CAS), but granted it a week to make a written submission on the matter.
At a hearing in the Delhi High Court in a case filed by the MSO Alliance against the Central government, the judge refused to tow the government counsel’s line that matters relating to the public still needed to be sorted out for which further time should be granted.
To a line of argument that the government was still trying to regulate the individual price of pay channels, the petitioner contended that it was for the sector regulator, also a respondent in the case, to decide on such issues.
After the government makes a written submission on the issue of CAS and its implementation in a week’s time, the petitioner has the right to file a rejoinder if it feels the need.
This would also mark the end of arguments after which a court verdict is expected.
The petitioner has contended that the Central government’s ambivalence on CAS has resulted in financial loss to MSOs in particular and the cable fraternity in general.
The government had amended the Cable TV (Network) Regulation Act 1995 in 2002 making it compulsory for cable operators to supply pay channels only through an addressable system, using a set top box.
However, after a series of missed starts, CAS is today functional only in Chennai and is non operational by virtue of a government notification dated 27 February, 2004 in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai, where addressability was supposed to have been implemented in phases.
This notification was ostensibly passed to enable Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to complete its study of the Indian broadcasting and cable scenario and give recommendations to the government, which was submitted on 1 October, 2004.
A year on, the government has done nothing to either reject or accept the Trai recommendations, which agree that to give choice to viewers the only answer lies in providing addressability to customers.
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.
