The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd., restraining several websites from allegedly streaming its exclusive sports broadcasts without authorization. Observing that online piracy poses an immediate threat to copyright holders, the Court directed domain registrars, internet service providers (ISPs), and government authorities to block access to the identified websites during the ongoing sporting events.
Background of the Case
Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd. filed a commercial suit claiming that it holds exclusive media and broadcast rights for several international cricket tournaments and multi-sport events, including the ongoing India tour of England (Men’s and Women’s) and other scheduled international competitions.
According to the company, it acquired these rights through agreements with various sports governing bodies and broadcasters. Sony alleged that several websites were unlawfully hosting and streaming its live sports broadcasts, causing infringement of its exclusive broadcast reproduction rights under the Copyright Act, 1957.
The company also sought urgent interim relief, stating that any delay in stopping the alleged unauthorized streaming would result in irreparable financial and commercial harm.
Take CourtBook Everywhere
Access your account on the go with our mobile app.
Court's Observations
Justice Jyoti Singh found that Sony had established a prima facie case for interim protection.
The Court observed,
“The issue of rogue websites engaged in piracy of copyrighted content is posing a recurring threat and there is no gain saying that piracy must be curbed and needs to be dealt with a heavy hand.”
The bench further noted that the ongoing cricket tours were already underway and would conclude in July 2026. Any delay in blocking access to the alleged infringing websites, the Court said, could lead to irreparable injury by enabling continued unauthorized dissemination of Sony's exclusive broadcasts.
Referring to earlier Delhi High Court decisions on "rogue websites" and dynamic injunctions, the Court held that immediate intervention was necessary to effectively protect copyrighted sports content.
Court's Directions
Pending the next hearing, the Court restrained the identified websites and anyone acting on their behalf from communicating, hosting, streaming, screening, disseminating, or making available any part of the sporting events without authorization on any digital platform.
The Court also directed the concerned domain name registrars to suspend and block the listed domain names. Internet service providers were ordered to immediately disable access to those websites after receiving a copy of the order. Additionally, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) were directed to issue necessary instructions to ISPs to ensure effective implementation of the blocking directions.
Recognizing that new piracy websites may emerge during the sporting events, the Court permitted Sony to notify authorities about any newly discovered infringing websites, following which blocking action may be taken after compliance with the procedural directions laid down in the order.
Decision
The Delhi High Court granted an ex parte ad interim injunction in favour of Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd. It restrained the identified websites from allegedly streaming or communicating Sony's exclusive sports broadcasts without authorization and directed domain registrars, ISPs, DoT, and MeitY to take immediate steps to block access to the specified websites.
The matter will be taken up on the next date fixed by the Court.
Case Details
Case Title: Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited v. Cricfree.cyou & Ors.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 672/2026
Judge: Justice Jyoti Singh
Decision Date: July 1, 2026
