NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Monday restrained the unauthorised broadcast of the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics by several rogue websites, multi-system operators and local cable operators.
The ex-parte interim order, which will remain in force till the next date of hearing on September 29, was passed by Justice C Hari Shankar on a plea moved by Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), host broadcaster of the Tokyo Olympics in the subcontinent, PTI reports.
The order directs internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to these websites illegally broadcasting the games on their platforms and also asked the Central government to issue necessary directions/notifications calling upon various ISPs to block access to the rogue websites.
The newswire quoted advocate Abhishek Malhotra, representing SPN, as highlighting the fact that there were over 40 websites and over 30 multi-system operators and local cable operators illegally broadcasted pirated content in violation of the copyright act and argued that the new IT Rules of 2021 required an ISP to protect a party’s proprietary rights.
In the plea, SPN had stated that these websites and cable TV operators were habitual defaulters as they have in the past infringed its exclusive rights for the broadcast of certain cricket matches, PTI further reports.
After hearing Malhotra, the court issued summons in the plea and sought response from the defendants within four weeks.
