Delhi High Court Directs DoT, MoE To Act Against Tucows For Failing To Block Infringing URLs In Premier League Suit

The Delhi High Court has stepped in on a plea by the Premier League, directing the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY) to take action within two weeks against Canadian domain name registrar Tucows Domains Inc. for failing to block URLs carrying infringing material related to its copyrighted content.

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, in an order dated April 10, 2026, said the conduct of the entity showed clear defiance of judicial orders. “This is unpalatable and unacceptable and appears to be clear defiance of the orders of this Court as also the previous orders passed by this Court, which were complied with after coercive measures were undertaken by this Court. ,” the court observed.

The court further noted that Tucows had “scant regard” to its orders. “It appears that the defendant no. 27/Tucows Domains Inc. has scant regard to the orders of this Court,” it said.

The court also emphasised that an entity offering services in India cannot avoid submitting to its jurisdiction while continuing to earn financial gains. “It cannot be that the entity offers its goods and services in India and is able to appropriate financial gains and yet remain defiant and not submit to the jurisdiction of this Court," the Court said.

The suit was filed by The Football Association Premier League Limited against SportsHub.Stream, Tucows Domains Inc. and several other defendants over URLs hosting infringing material.

The Court recorded that by its order dated May 14, 2025, it had directed domain name registrars, including Tucows, to block URLs carrying infringing content. Despite the passage of several months, Tucows failed to comply with those directions.

It also took note of an email dated September 30, 2025, wherein Tucows stated that it would not act without a court order domesticated in Canada, Germany, Denmark or the United States.

Referring to earlier proceedings, including orders passed in Star India Pvt. Ltd. v. MHDTV.WORLD, the Court noted that Tucows had previously failed to comply with similar directions and complied only after coercive measures were undertaken.

“It is strange to note that even after having undergone an adverse order with drastic measures having been undertaken on the orders of this Court, and having subsequently complied with it, in the present suit, the defendant no.27/Tucows Domains Inc. is resisting compliance of similar orders. No explanation has been tendered by them,” the court observed.

The court reiterated that domain name registrars offering services in India are bound by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and must comply with court orders. It also noted that agreements with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) impose obligations to adhere to applicable laws and judicial directions.

“Having regard to the above, there is no doubt in the mind of this Court that the DNRs have no choice other than to implement the orders of this Court. Clearly, the defendant no.27/Tucows Domains Inc., by its conduct as also made clear by the e-mail dated 30.09.2025, is being defiant and is clearly indicating that it is unwilling to submit to the jurisdiction of this Court,” it said.

Directing immediate action, the court ordered DoT and MeITY to proceed against Tucows for non-compliance and to examine whether it should be allowed to continue offering its services in India while remaining in breach of court orders.

The court also directed the Central Government Standing Counsel to file a status report within two weeks detailing the action taken.