Delhi HC Blocks Rogue Websites from Streaming Jolly LLB 3 Ahead of Release

The Delhi High Court has granted a dynamic injunction restraining rogue websites from streaming pirated copies of the upcoming film Jolly LLB 3, starring Akshay Kumar, which is scheduled for theatrical release on September 19, 2025.

Justice Tejas Karia passed an ex parte ad interim injunction in favour of JioStar India Pvt. Ltd., which had moved the court with a copyright infringement suit against several piracy websites. The company alleged that well-known rogue platforms were engaged in unauthorized hosting and streaming of copyrighted films.

Court observed that a prima facie case had been established in favour of JioStar. “Having considered the submissions advanced by the learned Counsel for the Plaintiff and Defendant Nos. 31 and 34, the pleadings and the documents on record, a prima facie case has been made out by the Plaintiff for the grant of an ex-parte ad-interim injunction,” Justice Karia noted.

JioStar India, a leading media production and distribution company, argued that it holds the exclusive global media rights to Jolly LLB 3. The company relied on a letter from Kangra Talkies Pvt. Ltd., which handled line production of the film, confirming JioStar as the sole and exclusive owner of all intellectual property and exploitation rights.

It was submitted that unauthorized dissemination of the film would cause severe monetary loss and undermine the substantial investment made in production. The plaintiff further emphasised that it possessed exclusive distribution rights to publicly exhibit and communicate the film and its associated content through all modes, including theatrical exhibition, broadcast, digital platforms and mobile delivery.

Justice Karia accepted these arguments, remarking that the unauthorized telecasting or communication of the film on rogue websites posed a significant threat to the plaintiff’s revenue streams, undermining the value of the considerable investment made in producing the film.

“The issue of the websites engaging in the piracy of copyrighted content presents a recurring threat and disseminating or communicating any portions of the film, without proper authorization or licensing from the plaintiff, would violate the plaintiff’s copyright,” the Court said.

It further observed that the balance of convenience clearly lay in favour of JioStar and that any delay in blocking access to rogue websites could lead to financial losses and an irreparable breach of copyright.

Court also drew parallels with earlier ruling in Universal City Studios v. Dotmovies, where a “Dynamic+” injunction was recognised to deal with the evolving nature of piracy in the digital age. Justice Karia held that swift intervention was essential, given that piracy websites frequently resurface under new domains, making traditional injunctions ineffective.

Accordingly, the Court restrained the identified rogue websites from hosting or streaming Jolly LLB 3 and directed domain registrars and internet service providers to block access to the infringing domains within seventy-two hours. It further allowed JioStar to notify authorities of new websites found illegally streaming its content, which could then be blocked in real time without requiring repeated court intervention.

“If any website, which is not primarily an infringing website, is blocked in pursuance of this Order, it is permitted to approach the Court by giving an undertaking that it does not intend to do any illegal dissemination of the content over which the Plaintiff has Copyright and the Court would consider modifying the injunction if the facts and circumstances, so warrant,” the Court added.

The matter will next be heard on January 20, 2026.

For Plaintiff: Mr. Sidharth Chopra, Mr. Yatinder Garg, Mr. Priyansh Kohli & Ms. Ishi Singh, Advocates.

For Defendant Nos. 31 & 34: Ms Aishwarya Kane, Advocate

Case Title: JIOSTAR INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED versus VEGAMOVIES.YACHTS & ORS.

Order Date: 12 September 2025

Bench: Justice Tejas Karia