Delhi High Court Restrains 40 Rogue Websites From Illegally Streaming Content Of Netflix, Universal City Studios & Other Entertainment Companies

The Delhi High Court has restrained 40 rogue websites from streaming, hosting and making available to public the original copyrighted content of Netflix, Disney, Universal City Studios and other entertainment companies.

Justice Amit Bansal directed the internet and telecom services providers to ensure compliance of the order by blocking the rogue websites, their URLs and respective IP addresses.

The court also directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Telecommunications to take immediate steps and issue requisite notifications calling upon various internet and telecom service providers registered under them to block the websites in question.

The court was hearing a suit filed by Universal City Studios LLC, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., Columbia Picture Industries, Inc., Netflix Studios, LLC, Paramount Pictures Corporation and Disney Enterprises seeking permanent injunction against 40 rogue websites.

It was alleged that the websites indulged in online piracy by making their original content available for download and providing its access to public at large.

It was the case of the plaintiffs that despite legal notice calling upon the websites to cease from engaging in the infringing activities, they continued to infringe their rights in the original content.

Passing an interim order in favour of the entertainment companies, the court observed that a prima facie case was made out in their favour and irreparable harm or injury would be caused to them if such an order is not passed.

The matter will now be heard on August 29. 

Case Title: UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC & ORS. v. FZMOVIES.NET & ORS.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 315

Click Here To Read Order