Delhi High Court Grants Permanent Injunction Against Rogue Websites for Copyright Infringement

DAZN Limited secures court order against unauthorized streaming of exclusive sports content by rogue websites.

In a significant legal victory for DAZN Limited, the Delhi High Court has granted a permanent injunction against several rogue websites accused of unauthorized dissemination of DAZN’s exclusive sports broadcasting content. The ruling, issued by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, enforces strict measures against the infringing parties, ensuring the protection of DAZN's copyrights and broadcasting rights under the Copyright Act, 1957.

The case, titled "Dazn Limited v. Back.Methstreamer.Com," involved 28 rogue websites engaged in unauthorized streaming of DAZN's exclusive content, including high-profile sports events such as the "Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk Rematch." DAZN, a leading global sports streaming service, holds exclusive broadcasting rights across various platforms, which were being unlawfully exploited by these websites, causing significant revenue losses.

Despite being served with summons, the defendants failed to appear in court or contest the suit, leading the court to deem all allegations in the plaint as admitted, pursuant to Order VIII Rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of copyright violations and the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights in the digital age.

Justice Arora emphasized that the rogue websites’ actions had not only infringed DAZN’s exclusive rights but also eroded the value of its copyrighted content. Consequently, the court ordered the blocking and suspension of the domain names associated with the infringing websites. Additionally, internet service providers and government departments, including the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, were directed to assist in enforcing the injunction.

This landmark judgment reinforces the legal framework for combating digital piracy and the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content. It also highlights the judiciary's proactive stance in addressing the challenges posed by rogue websites and protecting the interests of rights holders in the entertainment industry.

Bottom Line:

Copyright infringement - Rogue websites engaging in unauthorized dissemination of exclusive broadcasting rights violate the plaintiff's copyrights - Permanent injunction can be granted in such cases without the need for trial when the defendants fail to contest the suit.

Statutory provision(s): Copyright Act, 1957 Section 37, Civil Procedure Code, 1908 Order VIII Rule 10

Dazn Limited v. Back.Methstreamer.Com, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2819840