Delhi High Court injuncts cable operators from unauthorized telecast of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

The Honorable Delhi High Court ordered in favor of ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd (ESIPL), in its suit for permanent injunction filed against cable operators across the country against unauthorized broadcast of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, restraining all cable operators from unauthorisedly showing the tournament through their cable networks. The ICC Cricket World Cup being played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is being telecast on ESPN, STAR Sports and STAR Cricket channels from February 19, 2011 to April 2, 2011.

ESIPL in its suit before the Hon'ble Delhi High Court claimed that the defendants, approximately 144 cable operators, are taking unauthorized connections and they are unauthorisedly accessing signals of the plaintiff without taking license from the company.

After this order anyone showing the broadcast ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 through any unauthorized means or any other channel will be held in contempt of court and liable for prosecution. The Delhi High Court has also permitted ESIPL to take action against all other cable operators not party to the suit but are found to be unauthorisedly utilising the feed of ESPN, STAR Sports and STAR Cricket without license.

Speaking on the occasion, T Panesar, Vice President 'Affiliate Sales, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, said, "We are delighted with the verdict. The honorable High Court has made it clear that piracy will not be tolerated. We will have a team of observers across the country to ensure that piracy does not happen and in case we spot any, we will align with the police to bring the guilty to the book."

The Hon'ble Delhi High Court prima facie being satisfied by the material disclosed to it by ESIPL, restrained the 144 named cable operators from transmitting and/or telecasting in any manner whatsoever without license from ESS the telecast of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The said cable operators have been restrained from telecasting/transmitting any other channel or in any other manner infringing the copyright/re-broadcast right of ESPN STAR Sports.

The Hon'ble Delhi High Court has also injuncted unnamed cable operators who may be found to be indulging in cable piracy of the tournament. The concerned police authorities have been directed to render all assistance to ESIPL to enforce the order of injunction.