Delhi High Court Orders Action Against Online Piracy of Popular TV Shows

The Delhi High Court has taken decisive action to combat online piracy, issuing a landmark order to protect popular international television series such as Friends and Stranger Things. The ruling came in response to a copyright infringement petition filed by major entertainment companies, who argued that pirated websites were providing unauthorised access to their content, resulting in financial losses and undermining legitimate streaming platforms.

Justice Tejas Karia granted a dynamic injunction, allowing the rights holders to not only block the specific websites identified in their petition but also any mirror, redirect, or modified domain names that might emerge subsequently. This approach enables swift enforcement without requiring repeated court approvals, addressing the recurring problem of pirate sites resurfacing under new names.

The order applies to multiple stakeholders in the digital ecosystem. Domain name registrars have been directed to lock and suspend infringing sites within 72 hours of notification, while Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are instructed to block access to these domains within the same timeframe. Rights holders including Warner Bros., Netflix, Apple, Disney, and Crunchyroll praised the decision as a critical step toward safeguarding their intellectual property.

The court highlighted the “hydra-headed” nature of online piracy, noting that unauthorized sites often reappear with slight variations, making enforcement challenging. The dynamic injunction was deemed necessary to prevent further financial and reputational damage to content creators and distributors.

This ruling underscores the judiciary’s growing commitment to tackling copyright violations in India and protecting the interests of international and domestic entertainment industries. By curbing illegal streaming of widely viewed series, the Delhi High Court aims to reinforce the legitimacy of digital platforms and ensure that creative works are appropriately monetized. The decision is expected to set a precedent for future cases addressing online content piracy, helping curb a persistent threat to the global entertainment sector.