Delhi High Court restrains rogue websites from streaming FanCode content

The Delhi High Court recently restrained several rogue websites and mobile applications from streaming sports content exclusively licensed to Sporta Technologies Pvt Ltd, the owner of multi-sports aggregator platform FanCode, and granted a dynamic injunction to curb piracy of live events. Sporta also operates fantasy gaming app Dream 11 [Sporta Technologies Vs John Doe]..Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora passed the ex-parte ad-interim order, holding that Sporta had established a prima facie case for urgent protection of its broadcast reproduction rights under Section 37 of the Copyright Act, 1957 and trademark rights in “FanCode.”“Any delay in blocking the rogue website and/or applications would result in considerable pecuniary loss to the Plaintiff and irreparable violation of the broadcast reproduction rights,” the Court said..FanCode, launched in 2019, offers sports content, live scores, streaming, merchandise and community engagement. The company told the Court it has over 100 million users and streams events under licensing arrangements with sporting bodies including:Formula One World Championship LtdCricket West IndiesUEFAMajor League Baseball (MLB)PGA Tour EnterprisesMotoGPHockey IndiaMultiple Caribbean, Australian and Indian cricket leagues.Counsel for FanCode argued that viewership of sports content is at its peak at the time of live telecast and that piracy during such times significantly impacts revenues, which could be either via subscription fees or by way of advertisements..Directions issued.The Court, by its order has:Restrained the defendants from broadcasting, streaming, hosting, making available or providing access to FanCode’s exclusive sports content. Restrained certain defendants from using the “FanCode” trademark or logo, finding that such use amounted to infringement and passing off. Directed domain name registrars to suspend and lock infringing domains and sub-domains and disclose subscriber information, including contact and bank details. Directed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to issue blocking orders within 36 hours. Directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to the identified websites and mobile applications within the same timeframe..Given the dynamic nature of the copyright infringement involving live sporting events, the Court allowed FanCode to directly communicate details of any mirror or new rogue websites to DoT, MeitY and ISPs for immediate blocking.The order mandates that any such flagged websites must be blocked within 24 hours of notification, with FanCode filing affidavits and evidence of infringement before the Court within 48 hours.The matter will be heard next on January 19, 2026, after completion of pleadings before the Joint Registrar on September 17, 2025..Sporta was represented by advocates Prithvi Singh, Rohan Krishna Seth and Ritwik Marwaha from Fidus Law Chambers. .The government stakeholders were represented by Central Government Standing Counsel Ankur Mittal and Advocate Aviraj Pandey. .[Read Order]