Delhi High Court Halts Illegal Streaming of India’s Upcoming Cricket Tours by Rogue Apps
The Delhi High Court has intervened to protect Jiostar India’s exclusive broadcasting rights for cricket tours featuring South Africa and New Zealand. This decision came on November 11, 2025, at the request of Jiostar, which operates the JioHotstar platform.
Injunction Against Rogue Apps
Justice Tejas Karia issued an injunction that halts illegal streaming by several rogue apps and websites. This order will remain effective until March 3, 2026. The court’s action follows Jiostar’s urgent plea to safeguard its rights to broadcast cricket matches.
Background of the Case
- Case Title: Jiostar India Private Limited v. Cricfy TV & Ors
- Case Number: CS(COMM) 1203/2025
- Date of Order: November 11, 2025
- Upcoming Cricket Tours: South Africa and New Zealand
- Match Count: 18 matches
Jiostar holds exclusive rights from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the South Africa and New Zealand tours, effective from 2023 to 2028. It has invested significantly in acquiring these rights. However, rogue apps like Cricfy TV have been illegally streaming cricket events, including the recent West Indies Tour, infringing upon Jiostar’s broadcasting rights.
Court’s Findings
The High Court determined that Jiostar demonstrated a prima facie case for interim protection against these offenses. The court recognized the potential harm to Jiostar’s revenues and its rights under the Copyright Act of 1957 due to unauthorized streaming practices.
Further Court Orders
The court’s injunction prohibits any identified rogue apps and new infringing platforms from hosting or streaming matches related to the tours. Domain Name Registrars and Internet Service Providers are mandated to block these unauthorized apps within 72 hours. Jiostar may also identify and report new infringing sites for immediate action.
Ongoing Compliance
Jiostar is required to provide regular updates about newly identified rogue apps to the court. This ensures that the injunction remains in effect for any future infringements. The next court hearing is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
This ruling represents a significant step in upholding broadcasting rights in the digital age, as the court aims to safeguard Jiostar’s investments and protect its content from unauthorized distribution.
