Delhi High Court allows Viacom18 to block websites illegally streaming BCCI matches

Viacom18 has secured a broad dynamic injunction from the Delhi High Court for the Indian cricket team’s bilateral matches.

 

This follows the media house bagging the broadcast rights for India's home matches from September 2023 to March 2028. The deal has kickstarted with Sports18 and Jio Cinema broadcasting the current India-Australia ODI series.

 

Viacom18 Media had approached the Delhi High Court seeking an ad-interim dynamic injunction to protect its media rights against various rogue and pirate websites. The Court observed that a prima facie case for interim injunction was made out and further held that the grant of an injunction would be necessary to avoid irreparable loss/injury from being caused to Viacom18.

 

The Court further ordered that Viacom18 will not be bound to initiate any fresh proceedings in relation to any new alphanumeric/redirect/mirror websites that are expected to mushroom during the course of the BCCI events. Access to such websites shall be blocked by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) upon being informed about the same by Viacom18 on an affidavit. 

 

This means that Viacom18 can swiftly act against pirates and rogue websites infringing and making available the BCCI matches without due permissions. 

 

Anil Lale, general counsel, Viacom18 Media, said, “We at Viacom18 are proud to be the exclusive digital and television broadcaster for Indian cricket. Viacom18 has always been at the forefront in the fight against piracy. I am sure this is a welcome step for all the cricket fans as also for bona fide broadcasters like us who spend huge sums to get these rights. While we are proud to say that we have won several battles against these pirate websites, we understand that the war against piracy is a continuing one and we are committed towards winning it.”