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IBCAP wins $41.85 million ruling against hosting provider Virtual Systems
MUMBAI: IBCAP has scored a thumping legal victory after a US federal court ordered hosting provider Virtual Systems and its chief executive Vyacheslav Smyrnov to pay $41.85 million and comply with a permanent injunction for wilful copyright infringement.
The lawsuit, filed in October 2024, accused Virtual Systems of running a “DMCA ignored” policy and openly marketing that it would not act on takedown notices. IBCAP said the company brushed aside more than 500 infringement notices and let pirate services run freely on its servers.
In its ruling, the US District Court for the Western District of Washington found that the defendants received at least 512 DMCA-compliant notices and multiple US court orders but failed to take any action to halt the infringement. The court held that Virtual Systems and Smyrnov willfully infringed copyrights and demonstrated reckless disregard for the rights of content owners.
IBCAP’s executive director Chris Kuelling said the judgment is a clear warning to hosting providers that ignore enforcement: permanent injunctions and multi-million-dollar damages await those who disregard the law.
The ruling follows a recent $3 million settlement paid by Datacamp in another IBCAP-coordinated case, with a separate action against hosting provider Innetra still pending. The case was brought by IBCAP member Dish Network, with evidence from the IBCAP lab and prosecution led by Hagan Noll & Boyle.
Another pirate operation stopped in its tracks. The message from IBCAP is unmistakable: ignore the law and the bill will be brutal.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
