The Delhi High Court has ordered the blocking of websites illegally streaming popular shows and films such as Friends, Batman and Squid Game. Granting a Dynamic+ injunction, the Court aimed to curb online piracy and protect copyrighted content.
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NEW DELHI: In a crucial step towards strengthening copyright protection in India, the Delhi High Court has ordered the blocking of several websites found to be illegally hosting and streaming pirated films and television shows such as Stranger Things, Friends, Batman, The Squid Game, The Jungle Book, and others.
The order was passed by Justice Tejas Karia in Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. & Ors. vs animesugez.to & Ors., granting a Dynamic+ injunction in favour of major global entertainment companies including Warner Bros., Netflix, Disney, Apple and Crunchyroll, all members of the Motion Picture Association (MPA).
While granting the injunction, the Court acknowledged the evolving and evasive nature of piracy websites, which frequently reappear through mirror, redirect or alphanumeric domain variations.
“To keep up with the hydra-headed nature of the infringement actions of such infringing domains/websites, this Court finds it fit to grant a ‘Dynamic+ injunction’ to protect the Plaintiffs’ Copyrighted Works as soon as they are created,”
— Delhi High Court
The Court observed that there is an imminent possibility of newly released copyrighted content being uploaded immediately on infringing websites, causing irreparable financial harm to rights holders.
Background of the Case
The Plaintiffs, leading global entertainment companies, approached the Delhi High Court seeking a permanent injunction against websites engaged in large-scale online piracy. The suit alleged that despite repeated takedown notices, the defendant’s websites continued to illegally stream and allow downloads of copyrighted content.
The Plaintiffs asserted ownership and exclusive rights under Section 14(d) of the Copyright Act, 1957, and contended that the unauthorised dissemination of their content resulted in significant commercial losses.
The suit covered a wide range of popular films and series owned by the Plaintiffs. Warner Bros. claimed copyright over titles such as Friends, Suicide Squad, Mob Psycho 100 Season 1, The Conjuring 2, Wonder Woman, A Star Is Born, Aquaman, Batman and Joker: Folie à Deux.
Netflix asserted rights over well-known shows and films, including Stranger Things, Squid Game, Triple Frontier, Ghost Stories, Ibiza, Romantic Killer and Lookism. Disney relied on its copyrights in movies such as Finding Dory, The Jungle Book, Mulan, Encanto, Mufasa and Moana 2. Apple cited infringement of its original content, including Palm Royale, Silo, Harriet the Spy, Emancipation and Black Bird.
Crunchyroll, meanwhile, claimed rights over the anime series The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten.
Court’s Observations
After examining screenshots and evidence placed on record, Justice Karia noted that the infringing websites were:
- Streaming content on a real-time basis
- Allowing downloads without authorisation
- Operating without valid licenses
- Causing substantial financial loss to copyright owners
The Court held that the Plaintiffs had made out a prima facie case, with the balance of convenience in their favour and a clear risk of irreparable injury if immediate relief was not granted.
Directions Issued by the Delhi High Court
The Court passed the following directions:
Dynamic+ Injunction
The defendant websites and all persons acting on their behalf are restrained from hosting, streaming, downloading, reproducing, distributing, or communicating copyrighted works to the public
Directions to Domain Registrars (ONRs)
- Lock and suspend infringing domains within 72 hours
- Submit Basic Subscriber Information (BSI), including ownership details, IP logs and banking information in a sealed cover within four weeks
Directions to Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
- Block access to infringing websites within 72 hours of receiving the order
To prevent circumvention of the injunction, the Court permitted the Plaintiffs to implead mirror, redirect and alphanumeric variants of the blocked websites under Order I Rule 10 of the CPC, without filing fresh suits.
The injunction may also be extended to websites that provide new means of access to the same infringing platforms.
The Court clarified that if any non-infringing website is inadvertently blocked, it may approach the Court by filing an affidavit stating that it does not engage in piracy. The Court may then consider modifying the injunction based on facts.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 20, 2026.
Appearance:
Plaintiffs: Advocates Siddharth Chopra, Raghav Goyal, Mehr. Sidhu, A. Moin, and Aditya Singh Thakur
Defendants: Advocates Yash Raj and Geetanjali Vishwanathan.
Case Title:
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc & Ors Vs Animesugez.To & Ors
CS(COMM) 1361/2025
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