The Delhi High Court has directed real-time blocking of websites and mobile apps illegally streaming ICC cricket events, granting relief to JioStar. The Court said delay would cause irreparable loss to JioStar’s exclusive broadcast and digital rights.
The Delhi High Court has passed an important order to stop illegal online streaming of major international cricket tournaments. The Court has directed that websites and mobile applications that are illegally streaming the ongoing Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 must be blocked immediately in real time.
The order was passed on January 30 by Justice Jyoti Singh while hearing a case filed by Jiostar India Private Limited, which holds exclusive broadcast and digital media rights for ICC cricket events in India for the 2024–2027 cycle. Jiostar approached the Court after noticing that several rogue websites and mobile apps were illegally streaming live matches without permission.
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In its order, the Court made it clear that Jiostar has the authority to directly inform internet service providers, government departments, and domain name registrars about such illegal platforms. Once informed, these authorities must act without delay.
The Court specifically directed:
“Upon receiving the said intimation from the Plaintiff [JioStar], Defendant Nos. 5 to 18 [ISPs] shall take steps to immediately block the said UI(s)/website(s) in question and Defendant Nos. 19 and 20 [Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Telecommunications] 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’,”
the Court ordered.
The Court passed this ex-parte ad interim injunction after being satisfied that Jiostar has exclusive rights over the broadcasting and digital streaming of ICC events in India.
The judge noted that piracy through rogue mobile applications and websites has become a recurring and serious problem, especially during live sports events, and such activities need to be handled strictly.
While highlighting the urgency of the matter, the Court observed that one of the cricket tournaments is already underway, while the other is scheduled to begin from February 7. The Court stated that any delay in blocking access to illegal streaming platforms would severely affect Jiostar’s exclusive rights.
The Court further noted that allowing such illegal streaming to continue would lead to irreparable harm and significant financial losses to the rights holder. It observed that revenue loss due to piracy cannot be adequately compensated later, making immediate intervention necessary.
Taking all these factors into account, the Court concluded that urgent relief was required and therefore passed the injunction order to ensure instant blocking of rogue websites and applications involved in copyright infringement.
Advocates Sidharth Chopra, Yatinder Garg, Priyansh Kohli, Ishi Singh and Manish Singh appeared on behalf of Jiostar India Private Limited in the matter.
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