Delhi HC blocks 26 rogue websites, apps violating broadcasting rights of ‘FanCode’

The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order restraining 26 rogue websites and apps from unauthorized access, broadcasting and streaming of certain cricket events whose broadcast rights were exclusively acquired by Sporta Technologies Pvt. went. Ltd which owns the famous sports streaming platform ‘Fancode’.

The Single Judge Bench of Justice Pratibha Singh said, ‘In the suit itself, various screenshots have been taken to establish how the website and mobile application listed as respondent No. 1 to 26, in various cricket tours including Bangladesh and West Indies series, indulged in illegal transmission. Respondent number 27 is a John Doe party whose name has not yet been identified and as events progress, there are likely more websites streaming infringing material. Since a large number of sporting events are likely to be held in the currency of the current calendar year, an ex-parte ad interim injunction should be granted to ensure that the investment made by the plaintiff in acquiring the broadcast rights of these events is in any way Not in danger.’

Wadi sports news, live match scores, research-based insights, fantasy sports stats as well as streaming a huge number of events along with expert tips. It claims to have exclusive broadcast rights by entering into agreements with Cricket West Indies, European Cricket League AG, Malaysian Cricket Association, etc. and seeks protection under Section 37 of the Copyright Act, 1957.

It claimed that in March 2022, the plaintiffs found a large number of websites and mobile applications that were illegally reproducing, retransmitting and broadcasting live streaming of such cricketing events. It was further submitted that since the transmission and transmission of cricket events was an ongoing process, more and more websites were likely to come up during the currency of cricket events covered by contracts. In addition, these websites were able to stream the infringing content to the mirror website in a very short time, even if the main website and URL were blocked. Thus, it is prayed that a dynamic injunction be granted to prevent any other websites from visiting which are mirror websites of rogue websites so that they may also be.

The Court, after perusing the plaintiffs and the documents on record, noted that the websites and mobile applications listed as respondent were indulging in illegal transmission. It noted that as incidents progressed, more websites were likely to stream infringing content. Thus, the court held that- “Since a large number of sporting events are likely to be held in the currency of the current calendar year, an ex-parte ad interim injunction should be granted to ensure that the investment made by the plaintiffs in acquiring the broadcasting rights of these events in any way If interim injunction is not granted at this stage, irreparable harm will be caused to the plaintiff.”

Accordingly, all websites listed as respondent were barred from broadcasting, broadcasting, streaming or in any manner any event covered by the Agreements being made available to the public. Further, the DoT was directed to issue blocking orders against the websites listed as respondent.

It states that during the exchange of these events covered by the plaintiffs’ agreements, if the plaintiffs discover other mirror websites or rogue websites that are broadcasting and broadcast sporting events, those covered by the present suit , then they can file an affidavit in this regard. With his evidence before this Court.

The suit has been listed for hearing on October 12, 2022. Premiere News