High Court
SC stays new TRAI tariff, asks Madras HC to complete hearing in four weeks
MUMBAI: The Supreme Court of India has granted a stay on TRAI’s new tariff orders. A division bench of the court comprising Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose agreed to the demand of Star India, thus staying the new tariff order and interconnect regulations.
Industry sources told www.indiantelevision.com, “The apex court has asked the Madras High Court to complete the hearing within four weeks.” “The case will be heard on a day-to-day basis from 12 June — the date of the next hearing scheduled by the Madras High Court,” the sources added.
The Supreme Court today (Monday, 8 May) heard the appeal by Star India and Vijay TV challenging the order of the Madras High Court which refused to stay the DAS tariff order of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. TRAI TV reference interconnect offer (RIO) and Quality of service order (QoS) had formally come into effect on 2 May following the order of the High Court.
High Court Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar had directed the main petition of the broadcasters to be heard on 12 June. However, the court had said Section 3 of the Tariff order and all other consequences of such implementation/enforcement would be subject to the outcome of the main petition. The broadcasters had challenged the order of TRAI on the grounds that it had no jurisdiction over content, and that it actually came under the Copyright Act, which is not administered by TRAI, but by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, as of last year.
Apart from the tariff order which had originally been issued on 10 October last year, the regulator also issued the DAS Interconnect Regulations on 14 October, and the Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Digital Addressable Systems) Regulations issued the same day (10 October).
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Decks cleared for TRAI tariff order implementation as HC declines stay (updated)
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.
