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The has granted , the parent company of the streaming platform, the ability to notify domain registrars, hosting entities, and internet service providers directly about newly discovered piracy websites streaming Formula One and other live sporting events. The company will no longer need to file a fresh application every time a new infringing domain appears.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav passed the order on , supplementing an granted on . Under the new mechanism, domain registrars and hosting entities must suspend or lock the relevant domains within 24 hours of receiving Sporta’s communication. Internet service providers must block access within the same timeframe, while authorities responsible for notifying ISPs must issue the corresponding notifications within 36 hours.
The court’s decision came after Sporta identified websites streaming Practice 1 of the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d'Italia 2026 in India without authorization on . The infringing sites included westreamf1.st, istreameast.cx, and livetv903.me, along with nine subdomains hosted on ’s “pages.dev” service. Some of these subdomains used variants of Sporta’s registered trademark.
for Live Sports
The interim order had restrained the identified websites and their unidentified operators from infringing Sporta’s in ongoing and forthcoming sporting events covered by seven licensing agreements. It also prohibited them from using the trademark or deceptively similar variants. However, the earlier order did not specify how newly discovered piracy websites should be brought to the attention of domain registrars and hosting entities.
Sporta sought further directions to address this gap, arguing that could emerge within minutes and that requiring a fresh application for each new website would defeat the purpose of the injunction. No one appeared for the defendants.
The court acknowledged the unique challenge posed by live sporting events. It observed that a procedure requiring an application supported by an affidavit before the Registrar could work for films and series, which retain their commercial value over time. However, live sporting events have a limited .
“An injunction is granted to protect a right in a real and effective manner. If the order can be circumvented by the infringer simply by moving the same unlawful activity to a new address on the internet, the injunction would remain only on paper,” the court said.
The court further noted that the existing procedure “does not, however, answer the difficulty of a live sporting event, the value of which is concentrated in the few hours during which the event is played.”
Court Distinguishes Live Events from Films
The court also emphasized that intermediaries cannot be given the power to decide whether a website is a warranting blocking. The ultimate determination must remain with the court, it said, adding that this principle could be preserved through a mechanism tailored to live sporting events.
Under the mechanism approved by the court, Sporta can email details of newly discovered websites, mirrors, redirects, , subdomains, or URLs streaming the covered sporting events in India. Each communication must identify the website or URL, the event, and the date and time of detection. It must also include supporting evidence, such as screenshots or recordings of the infringing stream and the IP address, wherever available.
Procedure for
The directions will remain in force during the and for the period of Sporta’s rights under the relevant licensing agreements. This means that for the duration of Sporta’s broadcast rights to F1 and other events, the company can proactively combat piracy without returning to court for each new infringing domain.
Legal experts see this as a significant development in the protection of live sports broadcast rights. The strikes a balance between effective enforcement and , ensuring that the court retains control over what constitutes a while allowing rights holders to act quickly against rapidly emerging threats.
The order also underscores the judiciary’s recognition of the unique commercial dynamics of live sports. Unlike films or TV series, which have a longer shelf life, live events generate value in real time. Any delay in blocking can result in to the rights holder.
Sporta Technologies, which operates , holds licensing agreements for multiple sporting events. The company has been active in enforcing its rights against piracy, and this order provides a streamlined tool to combat the growing problem of .
The next procedural step is for Sporta to implement the communication protocol approved by the court. The company must ensure that each notification includes all required evidence and complies with the court’s directions. Domain registrars, hosting entities, and ISPs are now obligated to act within the specified timeframes, making the mechanism a practical solution for .
