Delhi High Court Orders Blocking Of Rogue Websites Streaming Sony's Exclusive Sports Broadcasts

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted a temporary injunction restraining eight rogue websites from illegally streaming sporting events over which Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd holds exclusive broadcast and broadcast reproduction rights.

The court directed domain name registrars, internet service providers and telecom service providers to block access to the infringing websites with immediate effect.

Justice Jyoti Singh observed that immediate relief was warranted as the ongoing India Tour of England (Men's) and India Tour of England (Women's) were underway, and any delay in blocking access to the websites would lead to an irreparable breach of Sony's copyrights.

"The issue of rogue websites engaged in piracy of copyrighted content is posing a recurring threat and there is no gain saying that piracy must be curbed and needs to be dealt with a heavy hand.", the court observed.

Sony approached the court seeking a permanent injunction to protect its exclusive rights over several international cricket series and multi-sport events. These include the ongoing New Zealand Tour of England (Men's) 2026, the India Tour of England (Men's) 2026, the India Tour of England (Women's) 2026, the Asian Games 2026 and other events collectively described as the "Sporting Events."

The broadcaster contended that the eight websites primarily existed to transmit, stream, host, communicate and provide access to its copyrighted broadcasts without authorisation.

The court held that Sony had established a prima facie case and that the balance of convenience lay in its favour.

"Delay in blocking access to Defendants' websites and/or any other rogue websites indulging in illegal and unlawful activities, would lead to an irreparable breach of Plaintiff's copyrights, as aforementioned, apart from revenue loss and cause irreparable damage and injury.", the court noted.

Pending the next hearing, the court restrained the websites from communicating, hosting, streaming, screening, disseminating or making available for viewing or downloading any part of the sporting events without authorisation.

It directed the domain name registrars to block and suspend the domain names, including cricfree.cyou, thegamesurf.com, topstream.pro, crichd.top, cracksports.me, mainstreams.io, qatarstreams.me and vipstand.cc.

Internet service providers and telecom service providers were ordered to block the websites immediately, while the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology were directed to issue the necessary directions to all internet service providers.

The court also allowed Sony to notify the authorities of any newly discovered websites that unlawfully stream the sporting events during their currency. It directed the broadcaster to file affidavits identifying such websites and move applications to implead them in the proceedings. The matter will next be heard on October 9