MUMBAI: The Delhi High Court has issued a permanent injunction forbidding any cable operator from illegally airing ESPN Star Sports’ ongoing telecast of India’s cricket tour to Australia.

The order restrains all cable operators, hotels and Internet websites from unauthorised telecast of the series in any manner.

The official rights holder, ESPN Software India (ESIPL), had filed suit in the Delhi High Court for permanent injunction against cable operators across the country. ESIPL had claimed that it has just cause for apprehension that the defendants, approximately 63 named cable operators, hotels and Internet websites may take unauthorised connections and may access signals of ESIPL without taking license from the company.

ESPN Software India VP –affiliate sales TS Panesar said, “This order will go a long way in ensuring that the unauthorised telecast is curbed. We have a team of observers across the country to ensure that piracy does not happen and in case we spot any, we will align with the police to bring the guilty to the book.”

After this order anyone showing the broadcast of India’s tour to Australia through any unauthorised means or any other channel will be liable to be held in contempt of court and can be prosecuted.

The Delhi High Court has also permitted ESIPL to take action against ‘unnamed’ entities, not party to the suit, but are found to be unauthorisedly utilising the feed of ESPN, and Star Cricket without license.

The Delhi High Court has also restrained unnamed entities who may be found to be indulging in cable piracy. The police authorities concerned have been directed to render all assistance to ESIPL to enforce the order of injunction.