Delhi High Court Grants Dynamic+ Injunction To Protect Copyrighted Works Of Netflix, Universal City Studios In Suit Against Rogue Websites

The Delhi High Court has recently granted a dynamic+ injunction in favour of Netflix, Universal City Studios, Disney and various other global entertainment companies to protect their copyrighted works in a suit filed against 26 rogue websites.

Justice Anish Dayal observed that the entertainment companies also including Warner Bros, Columbia and Paramount made out a prima facie case for grant of an ex-parte ad interim injunction as also a dynamic injunction.

“To keep up with the hydra-headed nature of the infringement actions of such infringing domains/websites, this Court finds it fit to grant a 'Dynamic+ injunction' to protect copyrighted works as soon as they are created, to ensure that no irreparable loss is caused to the owners of copyrighted works, as there is an imminent possibility of works being uploaded on infringing websites or their newer versions immediately thereafter,” the court said.

The suit alleged that the rogue websites were carrying and disseminating content, consisting of entertainment companies' copyrighted works, without any licence or authorisation.

The court restrained the websites from hosting or streaming on payment of charge or making available for viewing the content in question.

It further directed that the domain names of the rogue websites be locked and suspended and that the access to the websites be also blocked.

“Plaintiffs are permitted to implead any mirror/redirect/alphanumeric variations of the websites identified in the suit as defendants nos. 1 to 26, including those websites which are associated with them, either based on the name, branding, identity or even source of content, by filing an application for impleadment under Order I Rule 10, CPC in the event such websites merely provide new means of accessing the same primary infringing websites that have been injuncted,” the court said. The matter will now be heard on September 12.

Counsel for Plaintiffs: Mr. Siddharth Chopra, Ms. Suhasini Raina, Ms. Anjali Agrawal and Ms. Mehr Sidhu, Advocates

Title: UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS PRODUCTIONS LLLP & ORS. v. MOVIES123.LA & ORS.

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 614

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