During the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier league earlier this year, Viacom18 was locked in a legal battle with online betting platform ‘FairPlay’ over its alleged infringement of the network’s digital streaming rights for the IPL.
The legal action pursued by Viacom18 led to the of the arrest of Gulam Abbas Muni, a key executive behind FairPlay’s operations in India.
Anil Lale, general counsel, Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd., commented on the matter, stating, “The unlawful streaming made it imperative for us to intervene promptly. After almost a whole year of persistence we now have one of the perpetrators behind bars. In such cases prompt action is of utmost importance. The damage caused was not just financial but also to our reputation. At Viacom18, we consistently strive to stay ahead of infringers/pirates through proactive legal measures and will continue to do so.”
Taking advantage of the hype around IPL 2023, the online betting platform ‘FairPlay’ falsely advertised across print, digital media, and hoardings in Mumbai and other major cities. Not only endorsing the gaming/betting website but also illicitly associating itself with the streaming rights of IPL, using taglines like “Watch IPL for Free, LIVE”. Subsequently, it was revealed that IPL 2023 was being unlawfully streamed on the FairPlay platform.
Having secured the digital rights for IPL from BCCI for a period of 5 years, Viacom18 took swift measures by seeking a pre-infringement injunction. By an order dated 21st December 2022 passed by the Hon’ble Madras High Court, more than 4,750 specified websites, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), unknown parties were restrained from streaming/hosting/downloading/exhibiting/transmitting or making available content that violates Viacom18’s rights in the IPL.
On 19th April 2023, the Hon’ble Madras High Court granted an Injunction against FairPlay, thereby restraining the unauthorized digital streaming/ hosting/ downloading/ exhibiting/ transmitting of the IPL 2023 on the FairPlay website, including any advertisements. Given FairPlay’s infringement of Viacom18’s rights, Viacom18 filed a suit before the Madras High Court and filed an application for Interim Injunction against FairPlay.
Furthering their commitment to protecting their rights, Viacom18 filed a criminal complaint before the Maharashtra Cyber Digital Crime Unit (MCDCU) against FairPlay and its owners and distributors, namely Abbas, Penny, and Joe, for copyright infringement, criminal conspiracy, and cheating, among other offenses, thus enforcing Viacom18’s rights in IPL.
After months of thorough investigation, on 12th December, the MCDCU successfully arrested Abbas Muni, one of the prime accused. Abbas Muni was produced before the Court on the same day and has been remanded to police custody until the next date.
