High Court
HC grants partial reprieve to Go 92.5 FM
MUMBAI: Reprieve has come hours before the last date for payment of license fees by private FM stations falls due on Friday.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday has stayed the encashment of the bank guarantee of Go 92.5, a Mid-day enterprise till 14 June 2004. It has however directed the radio station to pay up 50 per cent of the license fees within 14 days of the court order, says station head Sharique Patel.
For Go, the half amount of the license fee amounts to just over Rs 10 million, as the station is being billed for two months, as it had given notice of operations till 28 June.
The Entertainment Network promoted Radio Mirchi, which had filed a similar petition two weeks ago, was turned down last week, but was supposed to come up for hearing today, the results of which are awaited.
Meanwhile, the Sun Network promoted Suryan FM, got the encashment of the bank guarantee stayed by the Madras High Court on Wednesday. The high court, while granting an interim stay, observed that since the matter of licence fee is pending with the central government for a final decision, an interim stay is granted barring the government from encashing the bank guarantee in case Suryan FM did not pay the fee.
The last date for payment of the license fees by the private players was 29 April, following which a grace period of seven days was allowed. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s recommendations that the fees be deferred was referred by the information and broadcasting ministry to the finance ministry, which refused to comment on the matter.
The I&B ministry, which referred the matter on Wednesday to the Election Commission, was told that deferment of the fees would amount to a breach of the election code of conduct.
The Bombay high court judgment today has come as a breather to the radio stations, although each is awaiting an individual verdict in the courts.
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.
