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[Cites 8, Cited by 0]

Delhi High Court - Orders

Jiostar India Private Limited vs Ghd Sports & Ors on 30 January, 2026

Author: Jyoti Singh

Bench: Jyoti Singh

                          $~56
                          *    IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
                          +         CS(COMM) 89/2026
                                    JIOSTAR INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED                       .....Plaintiff
                                                   Through: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Yatinder
                                                   Garg, Mr. Priyansh Kohli, Ms. Ishi Singh and Mr.
                                                   Manish Singh, Advocates.

                                                                  versus

                                    GHD SPORTS & ORS.                                                               .....Defendants
                                                  Through:
                                    CORAM:
                                    HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE JYOTI SINGH
                                                   ORDER

% 30.01.2026 I.A. 2588/2026 (for pre-institution mediation)

1. This application is filed on behalf of the Plaintiff under Section 12-A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 read with Section 151 of CPC seeking exemption from Pre-Institution Mediation.

2. Having regard to the facts of the present case wherein urgent relief is prayed for and in light of the judgment of Supreme Court in Yamini Manohar v. T.K.D. Keerthi, (2024) 5 SCC 815, as also Division Bench of this Court in Chandra Kishore Chaurasia v. RA Perfumery Works Private Ltd., 2022 SCC OnLine Del 3529, exemption is granted to the Plaintiff from Pre-Institution Mediation.

3. Application is allowed and disposed of.

I.A. 2589/2026 (u/S 80 r/w Section 151 CPC)

4. This application is filed on behalf of the Plaintiff seeking exemption from serving advance notices to Defendants No. 11 (BSNL), 14 (MTNL), 19 (DoT) and 20 (MeitY).

CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 1 of 13

This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34

5. For the reasons stated in the application, the same is allowed, exempting the Plaintiff from advance service.

6. Application stands disposed of.

I.A. 2590/2026 (u/O XI Rule 1(4) of Commercial Courts Act, 2015 r/w Section 151 CPC)

7. This application is filed on behalf of the Plaintiff seeking to place on record additional documents within 30 days.

8. Plaintiff, if it wishes to file additional documents at a later stage, shall do so strictly in accordance with provisions of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015.

9. Application is allowed and disposed of.

I.A. 2591/2026 (u/S 149 r/w Section 151 CPC)

10. This application is filed on behalf of the Plaintiff seeking extension of time for filing the Court fees.

11. For the reasons stated in the application, the same is allowed granted further time of one week to deposit Court fees.

12. Application stands disposed of.

CS(COMM) 89/2026

13. Let plaint be registered as a suit.

14. Upon filing of process fee, issue summons to the Defendants through all permissible modes, returnable before the learned Joint Registrar on 26.02.2026.

15. Summons shall state that the written statements shall be filed by the Defendants within 30 days from the receipt of summons along with affidavits of admission/denial of the documents filed by the Plaintiff.

16. It will be open to the Plaintiff to file replications within the stipulated time from the date of receipt of written statements along with affidavits of CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 2 of 13 This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34 admission/denial of documents filed by the Defendants.

17. If any of the parties wish to seek inspection of any documents, the same be sought and given the timeline prescribed in Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018.

18. Learned Joint Registrar will carry out admission/denial of documents and marking of exhibits.

I.A. 2587/2026 (u/O XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 r/w Section 151 CPC)

19. This application is filed on behalf of the Plaintiff under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 read with Section 151 of CPC for grant of ex parte ad interim injunction for restraining Defendants No. 1 to 4 and other unknown parties from infringing Plaintiff's Broadcast Reproduction Rights.

20. Issue notice to the Defendants through all permissible modes, returnable before Court on 07.04.2026.

21. It is the case of the Plaintiff as averred in the plaint that Plaintiff is a leading entertainment and media company in India engaged inter alia in production of popular content broadcasted on its channels and owns exclusive rights in several works broadcasted on its channels. Plaintiff owns the media rights in respect of various sporting events including international cricket matches organized by the International Cricket Council ('ICC') and Board of Control for Cricket in India ('BCCI'). Plaintiff along with its affiliates is the owner of an extensive portfolio of more than 100 channels in over ten languages ('JioStar Channels') and also owns and operates OTT platform, JioHotstar.

22. It is stated that Defendants No. 5 to 9 are Domain Name Registrars ('DNRs'), where the said associated UI(s)/URL(s)/Website(s) are being hosted. Defendants No. 10 to 18 are Internet Service Providers ('ISPs') and Telecom Service Providers ('TSPs'). Defendants No. 19 and 20 are DoT and CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 3 of 13 This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34 MeitY, respectively arrayed by the Plaintiff to assist in enforcement and/or compliance of orders of injunction passed by the Court.

23. It is stated that Plaintiff has acquired inter alia media rights, including television rights (to be exercised via broadcast delivery systems), digital rights (to be exercised via digital delivery systems, including through internet and mobile technology) and certain ancillary rights for various ICC events, including ongoing 'ICC Under 19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026' ('Ongoing Event') and the upcoming 'ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup 2026' ('Upcoming Event'), organized under the aegis of ICC [collectively referred to as 'Events']. The Ongoing Event commenced on 15.01.2026 and is scheduled to conclude on 06.02.2026, while the Upcoming Event is scheduled to be held between 07.02.2026 and 08.03.2026. The matches of the Ongoing Event are being played in Zimbabwe and Namibia, while the matches of the Upcoming Event will be played across major venues in India and Sri Lanka.

24. It is stated that Plaintiff entered into a Media Rights Agreement dated 27.08.2022 ('Agreement') with ICC for exclusive digital media rights and television rights for India in relation to various ICC events, including the 'Events' for a period of four years from 2024 to 2027. This position is confirmed by ICC vide letter dated 22.05.2024. Plaintiff thus enjoys Broadcast Reproduction Rights as per Section 37 of The Copyright Act, 1957 ('1957 Act'). By virtue of exclusive rights granted to the Plaintiff, it is and will continue to broadcast, stream and communicate the live transmission, delayed transmission, highlights, clips and repeat transmission of remaining matches of Ongoing and Upcoming Events on its OTT platform, JioHotstar and also on JioStar Channels. Plaintiff has paid a significant consideration for acquisition of these rights and has CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 4 of 13 This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34 consequently, acquired the license to exploit and/or authorize exploitation of the exclusive rights within India. Thus, an entity, which is not authorized by the event organisers or the Plaintiff to broadcast, retransmit, host, stream, make available for viewing and download, provide access to or communicate to the public, the feed of ICC Ongoing and Upcoming Events, on internet and mobile platforms, cannot so make available to the public, the broadcast of that event and any content related thereto and if it chooses to do so, the action would amount to infringement of copyright.

25. It is stated that Defendants No. 1 to 4 are various rogue Android- based online and mobile applications, operating through their websites and are primarily communicating to the public, hosting, streaming and/or making available to the public, Plaintiff's copyright-protected content, without any authorization. These rogue apps are illegal mobile applications and have no authority or permission to reproduce, store, transmit, communicate, make available for viewing or provide access to Plaintiff's content. The download, distribution and use of these android based rogue apps, occurs through an Android Package Kit. The sole intent and purpose of the rogue apps is to exploit copyright-protected work of the Plaintiff and to provide an alternate source to the user such that the user does not have to pay any money for enjoying Plaintiff's works.

26. It is stated that Defendants No.1 to 4 are illegally and unlawfully communicating the Ongoing Event and based on past instances of illegal dissemination of major sporting events inter alia the previous matches of the Ongoing Event, Plaintiff apprehends that remaining matches of Ongoing Event as well as of Upcoming Event, will be made available on their mobile applications, without any authorization and permission. In fact, Plaintiff has concrete evidence that Defendants No.1 to 4 have started indulging in CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 5 of 13 This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34 unauthorized dissemination and communication of Ongoing Event, in which Plaintiff has exclusive rights, on their online locations and mobile applications. Defendants No. 1 to 4 are vehicles of infringement whose whole business model is designed to provide members of the public access to copyrighted content without authorization and they indulge in systematic, organised and intentional nature of infringement. Additionally, large number of associated UI(s)/URL(s)/Website(s), upon being blocked/taken down, may also create new UI(s)/URL(s)/Website(s) to continue the illegal transmission/communication/broadcast of the 'Events'.

27. Learned counsel for the Plaintiff submits that the Ongoing Event has commenced on 15.01.2026 and is scheduled to conclude on 06.02.2026, while Upcoming Event is to commence on 07.02.2026 and shall conclude on 08.03.2026. Defendants No.1 to 4 are unauthorizedly and unlawfully communicating various sporting events, including Ongoing Event, in which Plaintiff holds exclusive rights. Defendants No. 1 to 4 are habitual offenders whose primary purpose is to communicate sporting events without license or rights and it is imperative that an ex parte ad interim injunction is granted, protecting the exclusive rights of the Plaintiff as the unauthorized telecasting and broadcasting of the Events will have a serious impact on the revenues of the Plaintiff apart from infringement of its copyright and other exclusive rights. These rogue apps are completely illegal mobile applications and have no permission or authorisation to reproduce, store, transmit, communicate, make available for viewing or provide access to any of the Plaintiff's content.

28. It is further submitted that most of the content communicated through these rogue apps does not belong to the Defendants and that the download, distribution and use of these Android based rogue apps, occurs through an CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 6 of 13 This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34 Android Package Kit. The primary intent and purpose of these rogue apps is to exploit various copyright-protected works of the Plaintiff's content and to provide an alternative to a user to enjoy Plaintiff's works, free of cost. It is emphasized that these Defendants are habitual offenders and continue to engage in repeated violations of Plaintiff's exclusive rights despite injunction orders passed by this Court in the past in CS(COMM) 837/2024 in Star India Pvt. Ltd. v. Movieblast application & Ors. and JioStar India Private Limited v. Cricfy TV & Ors., in CS(COMM) 1203/2025. In JioStar (supra), Court granted ad-interim injunction restraining the rogue apps from hosting, streaming, reproducing, distributing, making available to the public and/or communicating to the public or facilitating the same on their Apps/UI(s)/website(s), through the internet in any manner whatsoever, the then upcoming South Africa Tour of India 2025 and New Zealand Tour of India 2026. However, to circumvent Court order, Defendants created new websites with alphanumeric variations to continue their illegal activities.

29. Having heard learned counsel for the Plaintiff and on perusal of the pleadings and documents filed with the plaint, I am of the view that Plaintiff has made out a prima facie case for grant of an ex parte ad interim injunction. Balance of convenience lies in favour of the Plaintiff and against Defendants No. 1 to 4 and if the interim relief sought for is not granted, irreparable harm and injury shall be caused to the Plaintiff.

30. Plaintiff has secured exclusive rights in various sporting events organised by ICC and BCCI, including the Ongoing Event and Upcoming Event, which is evident from the confirmation letter issued by ICC on 22.05.2024. Consequently, Plaintiff enjoys Broadcast Reproduction Rights conferred in terms of Section 37 of 1957 Act. The Ongoing Event is being broadcasted and the Upcoming Event shall be broadcasted, streamed and CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 7 of 13 This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34 communicated to the public by the Plaintiff on its OTT platform, JioHotstar as well as on JioStar Channels. Defendants No. 1 to 4 are rogue mobile apps, which are unauthorizedly communicating the Ongoing Event, in which Plaintiff holds exclusive rights, without any authorization and Plaintiff apprehends that looking at the past incidences and the present communications, Defendants No. 1 to 4 will illegally and unlawfully communicate the Upcoming Event also. The unauthorized dissemination, telecast or broadcast of the 'Events' by Defendants No. 1 to 4, prima facie infringes the rights of the Plaintiff, which it is entitled to protect. Additionally, broadcast content, including footage, commentary etc. are also required to be safeguarded. In Universal City Studios LLC. and Others v. Dotmovies Baby and Others, 2023 SCC OnLine Del 4955, this Court granted injunction granting protection to works generated during the course of the pendency of the suit as also future works that will be created in the future so that while the content is generated, the same is not infringed upon in violation of Section 37 of the Copyright Act, till the time Courts come to the rescue of the right holder. Relevant passage from the order is as follows:-

"17. Any injunction granted by a Court of law ought to be effective in nature. The injunction ought to also not merely extend to content which is past content created prior to the filing of the suit but also to content which may be generated on a day-to-day basis by the Plaintiffs. In a usual case for copyright infringement, the Court firstly identifies the work, determines the Copyright of the Plaintiff in the said work, and thereafter grants an injunction. However, owing to the nature of the illegalities that rogue websites induldge in, there is a need to pass injunctions which are also dynamic qua the Plaintiffs as well, as it is seen that upon any film or series being released, they may be immediately uploaded on the rogue websites, causing severe and instant monetary loss. Copyright in future works comes into existence immediately upon the work being created, and Plaintiffs may not be able to approach the Court for each and every film or series that is produced in the future, to secure an injunction against piracy.
CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 8 of 13
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34 xxx xxx xxx
19. As innovation in technology continues, remedies to be granted also ought to be calibrated by Courts. This is not to say that in every case, an injunction qua future works can be granted. Such grant of an injunction would depend on the fact situation that arises and is placed before the Court.
20. In the facts and circumstances as set out above, an ex parte ad interim injunction is granted restraining the Defendants, who are all rogue websites, from in any manner streaming, reproducing, distributing, making available to the public and/or communicating to the public any copyrighted content of the Plaintiffs including future works of the Plaintiffs, in which ownership of copyright is undisputed, through their websites identified in the suit or any mirror/redirect websites or alphanumeric variations thereof including those websites which are associated with the Defendants' websites either based on the name, branding, identity or even source of content. To keep pace with the dynamic nature of the infringement that is undertaken by hydra-headed websites, this Court has deemed it appropriate to issue this 'Dynamic+ injunction' to protect copyrighted works as soon as they are created, to ensure that no irreparable loss is caused to the authors and owners of copyrighted works, as there is an imminent possibility of works being uploaded on rogue websites or their newer versions immediately upon the films/shows/series etc. The Plaintiffs are permitted to implead any mirror/redirect/alphanumberic variations of the websites identified in the suit as Defendants Nos. 1 to 16 including those websites which are associated with the Defendants Nos. 1 to 16, 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 Plaintiffs are at liberty to also file an appropriate application seeking protection qua their copyrighted works, including future works, if the need so arises. Upon filing such applications before the Registrar along with an affidavit with sufficient supporting evidence seeking extension of the injunction to such websites, to protect the content of the Plaintiffs, including future works, the injunction shall become operational against the said websites and qua such works. If there is any work in respect of which there is any dispute as to ownership of copyright, an application may be moved by the affected party before the Court, to seek clarification."

31. The issue of rogue mobile apps engaged in piracy of copyrighted content is posing a recurring threat and there is no gainsaying that piracy must be curbed and needs to be dealt with a heavy hand. This position is CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 9 of 13 This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34 acknowledged and reaffirmed in several decisions of this Court, one of which is referred to above. There is a need for immediate relief in the present case considering that 'ICC Under 19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026' is ongoing and 'ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup 2026' is scheduled to commence on 07.02.2026. Delay in blocking access to the associated UI(s)/URL(s)/Website(s) used by Defendants' Applications or any other UI(s)/URL(s)/Website(s) indulging in illegal and unlawful activities, would lead to an irreparable breach of Plaintiff's exclusive rights, as aforementioned, apart from revenue loss.

32. Accordingly, till the next date of hearing Defendants No.1 to 4 and/or any person acting on their behalf or anyone claiming through, by or under them and any other UI(s)/URL(s)/Website(s), which appear to be associated with any of Defendants No.1 to 4's apps based on its name, branding or identity of its operator or discovered to provide additional means of accessing Defendants' Applications and other domains/domain/apps/ UI(s) along with their sub-domains and sub-directories, owners/website operators/entities which are discovered to be engaging in infringing Plaintiff's exclusive broadcast rights, are restrained from in any manner communicating, hosting, streaming, screening, reproducing, making available to the public and/or communicating to the public or facilitating or distributing on their Apps/UI(s)/Website(s), through the internet in any manner whatsoever, any part of the ICC Under 19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 and ICC T-20 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026.

33. Defendant Nos. 5 to 9, i.e., the DNRs, are directed to block and suspend the following Domain Names associated with Defendant Nos. 1 to 4 within 72 hours from the receipt of notice and copy of this Order:-

CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 10 of 13
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34 S.No. Rogue Website on which Defendant No/ Domains/ Defendant Defendant .APK file is made Domain name URLs hosting No/ Apps available / Associated Registrar the infringing Domain Website of the content name Defendant Rogue Registrar Apps
1. GHD https://ghdsport.net / Regtime Ltd. ghdkabskskvh NameSilo, Sports (Defendant No.7) aa19.top LLC (Defendant No.6)
2. CricFy TV https://cricfytv.to Spaceship Inc. https://cfyhdfh NameSilo, (Defendant No.5) kkjfvbj89.top LLC (Defendant No.6)
3. SportzX https://sportzxapk.com Namecheap Inc. mycdnspx.site Namecheap TV (Defendant No.8) Inc. (Defendant No.8)
4. HD https://hdstreamz.ru Regtime-RU nomox.ru Regtime- 
                                   STREAMZ                                           (Defendant No.9)                               RU
                                                                                                                                 (Defendant
                                                                                                                                   No.9)
34. Further, Defendant Nos. 5 to 9 shall file an Affidavit in a sealed cover/password protected document disclosing the complete details of the abovementioned UI(s)/Website(s), as available with them, including e-mail addresses, mobile numbers, contact details, payment details and KYC details, within four weeks from the receipt of the notice and copy of this Order.
35. Defendant Nos. 10 to 18, i.e., ISPs/TSPs, are also directed to block UI(s)/Website(s) as specified in Paragraph No. 33 of this Order, within 72 hours from the date of receipt of the notice and copy of this Order.
36. Defendant Nos. 19 and 20 are directed to issue necessary directions to all ISPs for blocking/removing access to the website(s) as specified in Paragraph No. 33 of this Order.
CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 11 of 13

This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34

37. Prior to or during the currency of 'ICC Under 19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026' and 'ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2026', if any further application(s)/UI(s)/URL(s)/website(s) are discovered, which are unauthorizedly streaming and communicating content over which the Plaintiff has Exclusive Rights, Plaintiff will be at liberty to communicate the details of such application(s)/UI(s)/website(s) to Defendant Nos. 5 to 20 for blocking the said UI(s)/URL(s)/website(s) on a real time basis, without undue delay. Upon receiving the said intimation from the Plaintiff, Defendant Nos. 5 to 18 shall take steps to immediately block the said UI(s)/website(s) in question and Defendant Nos. 19 and 20 shall also issue necessary blocking orders immediately upon the Plaintiff communicating the details of the UI(s)/URL(s)/website(s), which are illegally streaming the 'Events'.

38. It is further directed that Plaintiff shall continue to file Affidavits providing the details of the newly discovered application(s)/ UI(s)/website(s), their Domain Names and the URL(s), which are communicated and blocked to ensure that the Court is kept informed of the application(s)/UI(s)/website(s) in respect of which blocking orders are sought. Plaintiff shall also file appropriate applications for impleadment of the said application(s)/UI(s)/website(s) and this Order shall be extended against the said newly added Defendants.

39. If any application/UI/website, which is not primarily infringing the Exclusive Rights, is blocked in pursuance of this Order, such entity is permitted to approach the Court by giving an undertaking that it does not intend to do any illegal dissemination of the content over which the Plaintiff has Exclusive Rights and the Court would consider modifying the injunction, if the facts and circumstances so warrant.

CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 12 of 13

This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34

40. Plaintiff shall comply with Order XXXIX Rule 3 of CPC within a period of two days from today and file compliance affidavit within two weeks.

JYOTI SINGH, J JANUARY 30, 2026/YA CS(COMM) 89/2026 Page 13 of 13 This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/01/2026 at 20:50:34