Home Box Office Inc wins case to block Streamzy.To and other rogue websites from unauthorized streaming of copyrighted content.
The Delhi High Court, in a landmark judgment dated July 27, 2026, has granted a dynamic injunction to Home Box Office Inc (HBO) and others, against Streamzy.To and several other websites, which were found to be infringing upon the copyrights of HBO's cinematographic works. The court's decision aims to curb online piracy and protect intellectual property rights in the digital realm.
Presided over by Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, the court recognized the urgent need to address the challenges posed by rogue websites that flagrantly violate copyright laws by streaming, hosting, and distributing copyrighted content without authorization. In an evolving digital landscape, the court acknowledged that traditional injunctions are often insufficient, as infringing websites frequently resurface under new domain names or mirror sites.
The dynamic injunction allows HBO to implead mirror, alphanumeric, and redirect websites that appear to be associated with the defendant rogue websites, thereby extending the court's protection to cover these new iterations. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Domain Name Registrars (DNRs) are directed to technically verify whether these sites are indeed infringing and enforce blocking orders accordingly. This ensures a swift response to piracy while maintaining judicial oversight to prevent misuse.
The court emphasized the importance of balancing the fight against piracy with the rights of neutral intermediaries like ISPs and DNRs, which are granted safe harbor protections under the Information Technology Act, 2000. These intermediaries are tasked with the technical verification of infringing sites but are not given discretion to decide on blocking without judicial scrutiny.
This judgment follows a series of similar decisions where the court has adapted its approach to effectively combat the "hydra-headed" nature of online infringement, as noted in past cases involving major production houses. The court's dynamic injunction framework is designed to promptly address piracy while ensuring that non-infringing sites are not unjustly affected.
The court also laid down procedural safeguards, requiring HBO to file affidavits and applications for judicial scrutiny when extending the injunction to new infringing websites. This process ensures that the court remains fully informed and that the injunction orders are not misapplied.
This ruling is a significant victory for HBO and highlights the judiciary's proactive stance in protecting copyright holders against the pervasive threat of online piracy. The decision sets a precedent for future cases involving digital copyright infringement, emphasizing the need for innovative legal solutions in the digital age.
Bottom line:-
Copyright infringement in cyberspace - Rogue websites flagrantly infringing copyrighted cinematographic works of plaintiffs - Court issued dynamic injunction to address evolving nature of infringement, allowing plaintiffs to implead mirror/alphanumeric/redirect websites - ISPs and DNRs directed to technically verify if websites are infringing and enforce blocking orders accordingly - Safeguards imposed to ensure proper judicial scrutiny and avoid misuse.
Statutory provision(s): Copyright Act, 1957; Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 CPC; Information Technology Act, 2000, Section 79.
Home Box Office Inc v. Streamzy.To, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2948570
