Applause Entertainment Private Limited Vs. WWW.9XMOVIES.COM.TW

Case Overview

• Applause Entertainment Private Limited filed a suit against several websites and ISPs for copyright infringement related to their web series 'UNDEKHI'.
• The plaintiff sought a permanent injunction to restrain the defendants from infringing their copyright.
• The court is considering a summary judgment application by the plaintiff.

Plaintiff's Case

• Applause Entertainment is a producer of audio-visual content, including the web series 'UNDEKHI'.
• They hold the copyright to 'UNDEKHI,' particularly the third season released on SonyLIV.
• The plaintiff granted an exclusive license to SonyLIV to exploit the series.

Defendants

• Defendants 1, 2, and 14-19 are websites/URLs involved in unauthorized broadcasting of copyrighted content.
• Defendants 3-11 are ISPs impleaded to block access to the infringing websites.
• Defendants 12 and 13 are government bodies (DoT and MEITY) impleaded to issue blocking notices to the ISPs.

Proceedings

• The plaintiff discovered unauthorized distribution of 'UNDEKHI' shortly after its release.
• An ex-parte ad interim injunction was previously granted, directing ISPs to block the infringing websites.
• Some defendants were proceeded against ex parte due to non-appearance.

Analysis and Findings

• The court found that the defendants' websites are rogue websites engaged in copyright infringement.
• The defendants are making the plaintiff's series available without authorization.
• The court referenced previous judgments and the concept of 'Dynamic Injunction' to address the emergence of new infringing websites.

Relief

• The suit was decreed in favor of the plaintiff against defendants 1, 2, and 14-19, granting the injunction sought.
• The plaintiff is permitted to implead mirror/redirect websites, subject to the same decree.
• Defendants 12 and 13 (DoT and MEITY) are directed to issue notifications to ISPs to block access to the infringing websites.



Case Title: Applause Entertainment Private Limited Vs. WWW.9XMOVIES.COM.TW 
Date of Order: 19th March 2025
Case Number: CS(COMM) 418/2024
Neutral Citation: 2025:DHC:1994
Name of Court: High Court of Delhi 
Name of Hon'ble Judge: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Amit Bansal