Court directs ISPs, social media platforms, and government agencies to block and remove infringing links amid real threat of film piracy prior to its November 5, 2026 release
In a significant decision aimed at curbing rampant online piracy, the Bombay High Court on November 2, 2026, granted an ad-interim injunction in favor of Godpower Media Private Limited, the producer of the high-budget film `Namit Malhotra's Ramayana'. The court's order restrains unidentified persons and rogue websites from unauthorized recording, uploading, streaming, or distribution of the film and its associated content, including trailers and promotional material.
The suit, filed under the Copyright Act, 1957, was brought by Godpower Media to protect its copyright in the cinematograph film and its underlying works such as script, screenplay, music, dialogues, visual effects, and other creative components. The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring prominent actors including Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, is one of the most expensive Indian productions with a budget approximating INR 2,000 Crores for the first part of the two-film series.
The plaintiff highlighted the precarious situation where Trailer No. 1, launched at a confidential event, was illicitly recorded and leaked on multiple social media platforms. Subsequently, Trailer No. 2 also saw unauthorized circulation online. Moreover, the plaintiff presented concrete evidence of dormant links on the internet claiming to offer free streaming of the film immediately upon its scheduled theatrical release on November 5, 2026. These links, which the plaintiff demonstrated, include websites such as `theknot.com', `cno.to', and `fullmoviesell.org', among others.
The Court acknowledged the plaintiff's "real and well-founded apprehension" of imminent piracy and piracy-related damages. The injunction restrains not only the first defendant (John Does) who operate these clandestine piracy websites but also includes directions to ISPs (Defendants 2 to 28) and social media and messaging platforms (Defendants 29 to 33) to block, disable access to, remove, and de-index URLs containing infringing content on notification by the plaintiff. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications were also impleaded to issue necessary directions to service providers to act within 36 hours of receiving such notifications.
The Court specifically ordered:
- A temporary injunction against unauthorized reproduction, streaming, uploading, downloading, or distribution of the film or its parts through all mediums including websites, torrents, cyberlockers, social media, cable/DTH networks, and physical media.
- ISPs to block/diasble access to URLs carrying the film or variants thereof.
- Platform defendants to promptly take down or de-index infringing content including videos, posts, channels, and accounts.
- Government authorities to ensure rapid implementation of blocking/takedown orders.
The Court's decision comes in line with similar orders passed by other High Courts in India on apprehensions of copyright infringement of this film. The injunction will remain in force until further orders, with a next hearing scheduled for December 16, 2026.
Senior Advocate Ashish Kamat, representing the plaintiff, emphasized the scale of the production and the extensive efforts to protect the intellectual property from piracy that could cause irreparable financial loss. Counsel for certain defendants agreed that quick communication from the plaintiff about any new infringements would enable immediate blocking and takedown actions.
This ruling sets a robust precedent for anti-piracy protection of high-profile films in India, underscoring the judiciary's proactive stance in combating digital piracy and safeguarding creators' rights in the digital age.
Bottom Line:
Copyright - Cinematograph film - Quia timet anti-piracy action - Where plaintiff showed real and well-founded apprehension of imminent online piracy of unreleased/releasing film, including prior leaks of trailers and existence of dormant infringing links, Court granted ad-interim injunction against unknown persons/rogue websites and directed ISPs, platform defendants and Government authorities to block, disable access, remove and de-index infringing URLs/content upon notification by plaintiff.
Statutory provision(s):
Copyright Act, 1957
Godpower Media Private Limited v. John Does, (Bombay) : Law Finder Doc Id # 3011035
