Court Orders Immediate Action Against Websites Hosting Unauthorized Content, Ensuring Swift Protection for Copyrighted Works
In a landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Tejas Karia, has granted Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and other plaintiffs a 'Dynamic+ injunction' against several websites accused of infringing their copyrighted works. The order comes as a significant victory for the entertainment giant in its battle against online piracy.
Filed under case number CS(COMM) 1361 of 2025, the judgment dated December 18, 2025, addresses the unauthorized hosting, streaming, and distribution of Warner Bros.' content by websites such as Animesugez To. and others. The court recognized the substantial financial losses and imminent threat posed by these infringing activities, prompting swift judicial intervention.
The plaintiffs, represented by a team of advocates including Mr. Siddharth Chopra and Mr. Raghav Goyal, argued that their copyrighted works, including popular films and series such as "Friends," "Suicide Squad," and "Stranger Things," were being illegally distributed online. The court acknowledged that these actions violated the Copyright Act, 1957, and warranted immediate legal protection.
The 'Dynamic+ injunction' granted by the court allows Warner Bros. to extend the protection to mirror, redirect, and alphanumeric variations of the infringing websites, ensuring robust defense against evolving piracy tactics. The court's order mandates the blocking and suspension of infringing websites by domain name registrars (DNRs) and internet service providers (ISPs) within 72 hours. Additionally, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY) have been directed to issue notifications to block access to these websites.
Justice Karia emphasized the balance of convenience in favor of the plaintiffs, noting the irreparable harm caused by continued infringement. The court's decision highlights the urgent need for legal mechanisms to protect intellectual property in the digital age, setting a precedent for future cases involving online piracy.
The plaintiffs are also permitted to file additional documents and implead any newer versions of the infringing websites, reinforcing the dynamic nature of the injunction. The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 20, 2026, with compliance of Order XXXIX Rule 3 required within two weeks.
This judgment underscores the judiciary's commitment to safeguarding creative works and deterring digital piracy, a growing concern for content creators worldwide.
Bottom Line:
Copyright infringement - Plaintiffs granted 'Dynamic+ injunction' against websites infringing copyrighted works, enabling immediate legal protection for copyrighted content as soon as it is created.
Statutory provision(s): Copyright Act, 1957 Sections 13(1), 13(2), 13(5), 14(d), 40, 51(a)(i), 51(a)(ii), 51(b); Civil Procedure Code, 1908 Order XXXIX Rule 1 & 2, Order XXXIX Rule 3, Order XI Rule 1(4)
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc v. Animesugez To., (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2833177
