Delhi High Court Grants Relief to Viacom 18: Restrains Illegal Websites from Streaming IPL Events

The Delhi High Court recently issued a dynamic injunction in favor of Viacom 18 Media Private Limited, prohibiting various unauthorised websites from streaming Indian Premier League (IPL) events for the year 2024.

Viacom 18, having obtained exclusive digital media rights within the Indian subcontinent and television rights overseas for IPL events from 2023 to 2027, approached the court seeking intervention against six unauthorised websites. These platforms were discovered to be unlawfully broadcasting matches from the cricket league, which is scheduled to continue until the end of May.

The court not only restrained these platforms from hosting, streaming, or making the IPL content available but also directed Domain Name Registrars to lock and suspend the identified websites. Acknowledging the dynamic nature of digital piracy, the court granted Viacom 18 the freedom to report any newly identified rogue websites engaging in similar illegal activities during the IPL season.