Delhi High Court Secures Zee Entertainment’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Rights
In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has affirmed the protection of broadcasting rights acquired by Zee Entertainment Enterprises for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The court’s intervention comes as a response to potential copyright infringements that could undermine Zee’s exclusive rights in India.
Ex Parte Injunction Against Unauthorised Streaming
On June 3, Justice Saurabh Banerjee issued an ex parte interim injunction to curb unauthorized broadcasting activities by five rogue websites. These websites, employing advanced technology to obscure their identities, posed a threat to Zee’s intellectual property rights. Justice Banerjee noted the prima facie evidence of copyright infringement, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent these sites from profiting at the expense of legitimate rights holders.
Zee’s Legal Standpoint and Official Rights
Zee Entertainment, having secured exclusive media rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as of June 1, invoked the Copyright Act to assert its authority over broadcasting the event in India. This encompasses rights to broadcast, rebroadcast, retransmit, and stream the matches using various transmission systems, including cable, satellite, and mobile technologies. The company’s legal plea underscored the urgency of protecting these rights against unapproved streaming by rogue entities.
Court’s Comprehensive Directives
The court’s directive encompasses several preventive measures. Domain Name Registrars (DNRs) have been instructed to lock and suspend the domain registrations of the identified rogue websites. Additionally, Zee is authorized to report any future infringing websites, which will also be subject to these restrictions. Furthermore, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are mandated to block access to these infringing sites, ensuring compliance with the court’s order. The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) are responsible for overseeing the enforcement of these measures by the ISPs.
Future Proceedings and Legal Representation
The case is set to continue with the next hearing scheduled for October 6. Zee Entertainment is represented by a legal team comprising Advocates Siddharth Chopra, Yatinder Garg, Suhasini Raina, Vivek Ayyagari, Priyansh Kohli, and Abhay Aren. Through their efforts, Zee aims to maintain the integrity of its broadcasting rights in India.
