Jiostar India Ordered to Cease Using Licensed Content; Mediation Suggested for Amicable Resolution
In a significant judgment delivered by the Delhi High Court on May 5, 2026, Justice Tejas Karia ruled in favor of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited in a copyright infringement dispute against Jiostar India Private Limited. The court issued an ex-parte ad-interim injunction, compelling Jiostar India to cease using, publishing, or broadcasting Zee Entertainment's licensed work that was previously authorized under expired licensing agreements.
Zee Entertainment, represented by advocates Mr. Harsh Kaushik, Mr. Abhay Chattopadhyay, and others, argued that Jiostar India continued to exploit their licensed content despite the expiration of agreements dated November 15, 2017, and November 6, 2020. The plaintiff asserted that the defendant was obligated to stop using the content immediately after the agreements lapsed. Despite repeated communications from Zee Entertainment, Jiostar India allegedly maintained control over the content on its platform, which led to the infringement.
The court acknowledged the plaintiff's concerns, particularly the clause within the agreements that prohibited further use of licensed content post-expiry. Jiostar India, represented by Senior Advocate Mr. Rajiv Nayyar, contended that the alleged infringements were unintentional and residual, suggesting that mediation would be a suitable path to resolve the matter amicably. They further indicated that substantial amounts of licensed content had already been removed from their platform and expressed willingness to cooperate in identifying and removing any remaining infringements.
Justice Karia directed Jiostar India to refrain from using Zee Entertainment's licensed content within 15 days. Both parties agreed to explore mediation and have been referred to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, with a session scheduled for May 20, 2026. This move reflects a shift towards resolving such disputes outside the courtroom, emphasizing collaboration over confrontation.
The case has been slated for further hearing on July 23, 2026, allowing time for mediation efforts. This decision highlights the importance of adhering to copyright agreements and the court's commitment to ensuring respect for intellectual property rights.
Bottom line:-
In a copyright infringement case, the court granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction restraining the defendant from using, publishing, or broadcasting the plaintiff's licensed work and referred the matter to mediation for amicable resolution.
Statutory provision(s): Copyright Act, 1957, Order XI Rule 1(4) and Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 of CPC, Commercial Courts Act, 2015
