Netflix, Disney and Amazon vs ‘Rogue Cyberlocker Website Doodstream’: Delhi HC Grants Interim Injunction
Doodstream infrastructure allows for the immediate generation of new links, making the takedown process ineffective. Therefore, Netflix and other streaming services were allowed to oversee the takedown process.
The Delhi High Court issued an interim injunction in a case filed by major entertainment giants Netflix, Disney, and Amazon against the purportedly rogue cyberlocker website Doodstream. The Bench of Justice Anish Dayal directed Doodstream to expeditiously remove all infringing content within 24 hours.
An application was filed by multiple streaming services including Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc, Amazon Content Services LLC, Columbia Pictures Industries, Disney Enterprises, Netflix US, Paramount Pictures Corporation Universal City Studios Productions, and Apple Video Programming against a streaming service named Doodstream.Com and other similar domains for facilitating the uploading, hosting, streaming, reproducing, distributing, or making available any cinematographic work/content/program owned by plaintiffs without authorization.
Advocate Saikrishna Rajagopal appearing for the plaintiffs sought a permanent injunction against the defendants. Advocate Rajagopal, alleged that their copyrighted works were being unlawfully disseminated on rogue cyberlocker websites operated by the defendants. These websites incentivize the unauthorized sharing and downloading of copyrighted material, creating a platform where users can upload and share content, including infringing material. Despite efforts to take down infringing content, the defendants' infrastructure allows for the immediate generation of new links, making the takedown process ineffective.
In response to the concerns raised by the plaintiffs regarding the efficacy of the takedown procedures, Advocate K. S. Elangovan pledged to eliminate tabs or features that facilitate the regeneration of links leading to unauthorized content, as well as any other functionalities permitting the reloading or redistribution of such content. They also assured that no unauthorized content will be allowed on their websites, and committed to adjusting their website structure to prevent link regeneration post-takedown.
As a temporary measure, the Court instructed the defendants to promptly remove all listings of infringing content belonging to the plaintiffs within 24 hours of receiving written or email correspondence from the plaintiffs' legal representatives.
Additionally, Doodstream was directed to deactivate features enabling link regeneration and re-upload of infringing content, disclose the revenues generated from their websites, and furnish details regarding takedown requests and subsequent availability of the content. The Bench granted the plaintiff the liberty to oversee the takedown process for infringing listings using an investigator's account supplied by them, retaining access to global search functionalities.
Accordingly, the Court listed the matter for April 8, 2024.
Case Title: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc v Doodstream.Com & Ors (CS(COMM) 234/2024)