NEW DELHI: In a relief to Sony Pictures Networks India, the official and exclusive broadcaster of India’s upcoming tour of England, the Delhi High Court on Friday has banned over 300 unlicensed websites and cable operators to broadcast or stream the series, Press Trust of India reports.
The decision comes days after Sony had filed a petition, making out a prima facia case for the same through its advocate, Abhishek Malhotra.
The same decision also applies for the Asian Games starting from mid-August. The tournament’s exclusive broadcasting rights for the Indian market are also held by Sony. The company’s permission needs to be taken by other operators before doing so.
In an interim order, Justice Vinod Goel also restrained the websites and cable operators from broadcasting the 18th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Indonesia from August 18 to September 2, without the permission of Sony which has the rights for that event as well.
The High Court directed the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITY) and the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) to ensure that the Internet service providers block the websites that are found infringing Sony’s licence.
It also appointed four local commissioners who on receiving intimation from Sony of any defaulting site or cable operator shall first ascertain whether there is any unauthorised distribution or transmission of the events without a licence from the company.
The local commissioners have also been empowered by the court to inspect and seize the equipment being used for any unauthorised distribution/re-distribution as well as make a sample recording of the illegal transmission.
Justice Goel said that the local commissioners can seek the assistance of the police of the area concerned, if required.
Under both the events’ licences, Sony has the right to broadcast the events, on a live, delayed and repeat basis within the territories of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
