Delhi High Court Grants Ex-Parte Injunction to Protect Jiostar India’s Exclusive Cricket Broadcasting Rights

Court Orders Immediate Blocking of Rogue Apps and Websites Illegally Streaming Cricket Matches

In a landmark decision, the Delhi High Court has granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction to Jiostar India Private Limited to protect its exclusive global digital media and television rights for upcoming cricket events organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The judgment, delivered by Justice Tejas Karia, is aimed at curbing unauthorized streaming and dissemination of cricket matches by rogue applications and websites, which threaten significant financial losses to the rights holder due to piracy.

Jiostar India had approached the court seeking urgent relief against several rogue applications and websites accused of illegally streaming content to which Jiostar holds exclusive broadcasting rights. The court, acknowledging the potential for irreparable harm and financial losses, directed domain name registrars, internet service providers, and government authorities to block access to these unauthorized platforms.

The judgment comes ahead of two major cricket events, the South Africa Tour of India 2025 and the New Zealand Tour of India 2026, both of which will be broadcasted on Jiostar's platforms, including Jio Hotstar. The court recognized the substantial investment made by Jiostar in acquiring these rights and emphasized the importance of protecting such investments from piracy.

In a detailed order, the court has also granted Jiostar the liberty to notify authorities about newly discovered rogue applications and websites for real-time blocking, ensuring comprehensive protection of their exclusive rights during the pendency of the proceedings. This dynamic injunction is designed to adapt to the evolving nature of digital piracy, which often sees new URLs and applications cropping up even after initial blocks are put in place.

The court's decision also reflects a broader judicial acknowledgment of the challenges posed by digital piracy in the modern media landscape. By exempting Jiostar from pre-institution mediation under the Commercial Courts Act and issuing notices under the Civil Procedure Code, the court prioritized the urgency of the matter, recognizing the immediate threat to Jiostar's broadcasting rights.

This judgment sets a significant precedent in the fight against digital piracy, reinforcing the rights of content owners and highlighting the judiciary's proactive stance in protecting intellectual property rights in the digital age. The matter is set for further hearing in March 2026, during which the court will assess compliance with its orders and consider any further relief needed to safeguard Jiostar's interests.

Bottom Line:

Copyright protection - Plaintiff granted ex-parte ad-interim injunction to protect exclusive broadcasting rights of cricket events against unauthorized dissemination by rogue apps and websites.

Statutory provision(s): Copyright Act, 1957 Section 37, Commercial Courts Act, 2015 Section 12A, Civil Procedure Code, 1908 Section 80, Civil Procedure Code, 1908 Order XXXIX Rules 1 & 2

Jiostar India Private Limited v. Cricfy Tv, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2808654