The High Court of Delhi has directed 40 websites not to stream, host or make available to the public, the original copyrighted content of Netflix, Disney, Universal City Studios and other entertainment companies.
The orders were passed recently by the Single-Judge Bench of Justice Amit Bansal on a suit filed by Universal City Studios LLC, Warner Bros Entertainment Inc, Columbia Picture Industries Inc, Netflix Studios, LLC, Paramount Pictures Corporation and Disney Enterprises.
The High Court directed the internet and telecom services providers to ensure compliance of the order by blocking the 40 websites, their URLs and respective IP addresses.
It further directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEIT) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to take immediate steps and issue requisite notifications, calling upon various internet and telecom service providers registered under them to block the websites in question.
The petitioners sought permanent injunction against 40 websites on the grounds that the websites in question indulged in online piracy by making the petitioners’ original content available for download and providing its access to the public at large.
The plaintiffs alleged that despite a legal notice calling upon the websites to cease from engaging in infringing activities, they continued to infringe their rights in the original content.
The High Court observed that a prima facie case was made out in favour of the entertainment companies and irreparable harm or injury would be caused to them if such an order was not passed.
While passing an interim relief order, the Bench listed the matter for further hearing on August 29.
(Case title: Universal City Studios LLC & Ors vs Fzmovies.net & Ors)