Delhi High Court Issues Dynamic Injunction to Protect ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from Piracy

The Delhi High Court has granted Star India Private Limited a sweeping "dynamic+" injunction to combat the anticipated online piracy of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Justice Mini Pushkarna 's February 17, 2025 order addresses the urgent need to protect Star India's exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament. The injunction is notable for its proactive approach to tackling the ever-evolving landscape of online copyright infringement.

Case Background

Star India, holding exclusive digital and television media rights for the Champions Trophy 2025 in India, filed suit CS(COMM) 136/2025 against numerous rogue websites (Defendants 1-6), domain name registrars (Defendants 7-10), internet service providers (ISPs) and telecom service providers (TSPs) (Defendants 11-18), and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ( MeitY ) (Defendants 19-20). Star India anticipated widespread illegal streaming and cited past experiences where hundreds of additional pirate websites emerged during major sporting events.

Arguments Presented

Star India argued that the short duration of ODI matches requires immediate action to prevent significant financial losses. They presented a compelling case based on previous successful injunctions against similar online piracy attempts. They emphasized the substantial investment in acquiring these broadcasting rights and the urgent need for a dynamic injunction to address the rapidly evolving nature of online piracy. The Court relied heavily on the precedent established in Universal City Studios LLC and Ors. vs. Dotmovies.baby and Ors. , which detailed the need for dynamic injunctions to protect against the continuous emergence of new pirate websites.

The Court's Decision

The Court acknowledged the widespread popularity of cricket in India and the significant financial investment made by Star India. Recognizing the potential for irreparable harm, the judge granted the following:

• A dynamic injunction: This prohibits Defendants 1-6 (and any future identified websites) from streaming, disseminating, or making available any part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 without authorization.
• Orders to Domain Name Registrars (DNRs) and ISPs/TSPs: The DNRs were ordered to lock and suspend the domain names of Defendants 1-6 within 72 hours, while ISPs/TSPs were directed to block the websites immediately upon receiving the order. DoT and MeitY were instructed to issue necessary blocking orders.
• Real-time blocking mechanism: Star India was granted liberty to communicate details of any newly discovered pirate websites to DoT, MeitY , and ISPs for immediate blocking.

The Court emphasized that any party unjustifiably denying documents would be liable for costs. The order also includes provisions for websites mistakenly blocked to seek court clarification.

Implications

This judgment sets a significant precedent for combating online piracy of live sporting events. The "dynamic+" injunction provides a proactive and effective mechanism to protect copyright holders in the face of rapidly evolving online piracy tactics. The court’s decision highlights the need for courts to adapt their legal tools to address the challenges presented by the digital landscape. The ruling underscores the importance of swift action in protecting intellectual property rights in the fast-paced world of online streaming.