Mumbai: The Delhi high court granted interim relief to Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, ordering the cessation of unauthorised streaming of its TV shows, movies, and other proprietary content on sixty rogue websites. Justice Mini Pushkarna directed domain registrars to suspend these sites and provide Zee with essential information, including contact details, IP addresses, and locations. Additionally, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) were instructed to block access to the infringing websites.
Represented by advocate Sidharth Chopra, Zee noted extensive unauthorised streaming by defendants 1 through 60—rogue websites hosting popular shows such as Bastar - The Naxal Story, Kakuda, Rautu ka Raaz, and other original series without permission. These sites, operating anonymously, were reportedly profiting from unauthorised access to Zee’s intellectual property by featuring organised and regularly updated content. The suit names defendants 61 to 81 as domain registrars for suspension or blocking of the rogue websites, while defendant 82, Google LLC, is tasked with de-indexing these sites from search results. Defendants 83 to 91, representing Internet Service Providers, were added to restrict access to these websites. The Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, listed as defendants 92 and 93, respectively, were included to provide necessary notifications.
He emphasised the impact on Zee Entertainment, noting that without intervention, ongoing piracy by defendants 1–60 could lead to irreparable harm given Zee’s investment in content production and distribution.
The court further empowered Zee to report any additional websites found to be involved in unauthorised streaming during ongoing proceedings. In cases where a non-infringing site may be mistakenly blocked, the court assured that the site could seek rectification, provided it does not intend to breach Zee’s broadcast rights.
Zee had initially sought a permanent injunction to prevent copyright violations and piracy by these sites, alleging that they profited from illegal streaming. Zee requested that the domain names be blocked or suspended, that registrars and ISPs disclose relevant information and that search engines like Google de-index these sites.
After reviewing Zee’s arguments, the court found the media company had made a case for an injunction, concluding that Zee could suffer harm without this relief. Justice Pushkarna granted an ex parte interim injunction, and the case is set to continue on 7 March 2025.
