DELHI HIGH COURT has granted JioStar India Private Limited an ex-parte ad-interim injunction against several unauthorised mobile apps and websites including Cricfy TV for allegedly infringing its exclusive broadcast rights for India’s forthcoming cricket tours of South Africa and New Zealand, according to a report on Storyboard18.
In its order, Justice Tejas Karia directed domain registrars, internet service providers (ISPs), and government authorities to block access to the identified infringing platforms within 72 hours. The court further allowed JioStar to flag additional pirate links during the series for immediate, real-time blocking as new URLs inevitably emerge.
The court noted that JioStar India Pvt Ltd which operates JioStar Channels and the OTT service JioHotstar holds exclusive global digital and television rights for all BCCI-organised events from 2023 to 2028. These rights were secured through a media rights agreement with the BCCI, confirmed via letters dated 12 September 2023 and 25 September 2024.
According to JioStar, rogue apps such as Cricfy TV and SportzX TV had been unlawfully streaming previous BCCI matches, including the 2025 West Indies tour of India, without permission. These platforms allegedly provided free access to copyrighted broadcasts, undermining legitimate revenue streams and bypassing licensed distribution partners.
JioStar’s counsel warned that, given the popularity of India’s upcoming tours, a surge in illegal streaming was likely once the matches begin. The company also cited past instances where infringing platforms quickly resurfaced under new domain names following takedown orders.
Justice Karia observed that unauthorised telecasts of live sporting events “pose a significant threat to the plaintiff’s revenue streams, undermining the value of its considerable investment”, and affirmed that match footage and commentary are protected under the Copyright Act, 1957.
The court specifically instructed domain registrars Namecheap Inc., Namesilo LLC, and OwnRegistrar Inc. to block eight infringing domains including cricfytv.live, sportzxtv.com, popefranciss.site, hdstreamz.life, ghdsportspro.net and to submit user information such as names, contact details, and payment records in sealed cover within four weeks.
ISPs and telecom service providers were ordered to disable access to the listed sites, while the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) were asked to ensure strict compliance across all networks.
Recognising the fast-moving nature of digital piracy, the court empowered JioStar to directly alert authorities about any fresh infringing domains or applications during the tours for swift blocking, without seeking additional court approval. The order also offers recourse to legitimate platforms that may be inadvertently restricted, allowing them to request modifications upon demonstrating compliance.
