Delhi High Court Permanently Restrains Rogue Apps & Websites From Illegally Streaming Star India's Content

Star India, an entertainment and media company, broadcasts popular content on its STAR channels in various languages. It owns and operates websites and apps including 'Disney+Hotstar'.

Star India sought to restrain the defendants from illegally and unauthorizedly disseminating and broadcasting its content through their rogue websites and mobile applications.

Star submitted that the rogue apps provide access to Star's content without any authorization either free of cost or at minimal subscription. It is stated that the rogue websites serve as a repository of illicit and infringing apps and allow users of Android devices to download infringing apps directly onto their devices.

On 6 April 2022, the Court issued an ex-parte ad-interim injunction, restraining the defendants from infringing Star's contents.

Justice Amit Bansal noted that despite notice, none appeared for the defendants and no written statements have been filed. The Court was of the view that the suit did not require trial and it could proceed under Order VIII Rule 10 CPC, which empowers the Court to pronounce a judgment when the party fails to file a written statement within the required time.

Based on the facts of the case, the Court opined that the defendants developed and distributed the infringing apps and rogue websites with the object of exploiting Star's copyrighted works.

“Based on the averments made in the plaint, it is clear that the defendants are actively and knowingly creating, developing, distributing and making available the infringing mobile applications and Rogue Websites with the common object of exploiting copyright-protected works and infringing the plaintiffs' copyright and broadcasting rights.”

It stated that the defendants caused irreparable harm to Star and eroded the value of its copyrights by taking away significant revenues through their unauthorized platforms.

The Court thus issued a permanent injunction against the defendants, their owners, partners or agents and restrained them from streaming or making available for downloading Star's content on their platforms without any authorization.

Case title: Star India Pvt. Ltd. & Anr. vs. Ashar Nisar & Ors.

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 174