The Delhi High Court has intervened to protect Star India Pvt. Ltd., the media conglomerate famed for its vast array of entertainment channels and streaming services, by granting an interim injunction against IPTV streaming applications accused of illegally distributing their copyrighted content. This ruling, announced on Monday, marks the latest chapter in Star India's fight against copyright infringement.
Star India, the owner of over 100 channels including popular names like Star Plus, Star Sports, Disney Channel, and National Geographic, has also carved out significant space for itself in the online streaming market with platforms such as Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema. The High Court’s decision aims to prevent unauthorized applications from hosting the company’s original content, which Star claims is leading to 'grave monetary loss' and undermining its intellectual property rights.
Star India filed the case against IPTV Smarter Pro, the leading defendant, alongside several others, accusing them of enabling piracy through their services. The application, which operates on Android and iOS devices, was said to provide users with illegal access to Star's vast content library. According to Star, the rogue applications divert potential viewers away from their legitimate platforms, resulting in significant revenue loss.
Justice Mini Pushkarna, presiding over the case, found Star India's arguments compelling enough to warrant immediate legal protection. The judge noted, "the balance of convenience lies with Star" and asserted the potential for irreparable injury if the infringement continued unaddressed. The court ordered blocking measures to be implemented by domain name registrars and internet service providers, effectively restricting access to these rogue sites.
Specifically, the ruling directs involved parties to block access to the infringing websites and requires them to disclose the owner and payment details associated with the accused platforms. Star India’s legal team articulated their concerns about the wide-reaching impact these rogue apps had on their audience engagement and revenue streams.
Counterarguments from the defendants, including IPTV Smarter Pro, were taken under consideration, with claims made about merely serving as a video player without engaging directly in copyright infringement. Despite this defense, the court's decision leaned heavily toward safeguarding Star India's copyrights.
Star expressed strong commitment toward protecting its content and preserving the integrity of its audience's viewing experience. Following the court directives, the focus will now shift to how effectively these orders will be implemented and enforced.
Expectations are high as the court scheduled the next hearing for July 14, where defendants are expected to respond formally to the injunction. This development is significant not just for Star India, but also for the broader industry grappling with similar challenges against streaming piracy. With legal battles like these becoming increasingly common, the outcome could set important precedents for copyright enforcement across digital platforms.