CourtKutchehry

Delhi High Court Blocks Rogue Websites from Streaming ‘Jolly LLB 3’ Ahead of Release

Court grants “Dynamic+” injunction to protect film’s copyright; orders immediate blocking of piracy sites

JioStar India gets real-time powers to report and block new infringing domains before and after release

By Our Legal Reporter

New Delhi, September 19, 2025:
The Delhi High Court has taken strong action to protect the upcoming Bollywood film Jolly LLB 3 from online piracy, issuing a “Dynamic+” injunction against more than 20 rogue websites known for illegally streaming movies.

The order, passed by Justice Tejas Karia, restrains these websites from hosting, streaming, or making available any part of the film, which is scheduled for theatrical release on September 19, 2025. The Court also empowered the film’s producers to request real-time blocking of additional infringing websites discovered before or after the release.

The Plaintiff and the Film

The case was filed by JioStar India Private Limited, which holds the exclusive global rights to Jolly LLB 3. The film, starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, is the latest instalment in the popular courtroom drama franchise.

JioStar commissioned Kangra Talkies Private Limited for the film’s development and line production. Kangra Talkies confirmed in writing that JioStar is the sole and exclusive owner of all intellectual property rights, exploitation rights, and the script.

Why the Court Stepped In

JioStar argued that piracy posed an imminent threat to its investment, as infringing websites often make films available online on the day of release. The company identified notorious piracy platforms such as vegamovies.yachts, filmyzilla20.com, and hdfriday.monster, which have a history of distributing copyrighted content without permission.

The plaintiff warned that unauthorised dissemination would cause severe financial losses and undermine the value of the substantial investment made in producing the film.

Court’s Observations

Justice Karia agreed that swift intervention was necessary:

“The apprehension of the unauthorized dissemination, telecasting, or communication of the film on the websites shall pose a significant threat to the plaintiff’s revenue streams, undermining the value of the considerable investment made.”

The Court noted that piracy websites frequently resurface under new domain names, making traditional injunctions ineffective. This justified the use of a Dynamic+ injunction, which allows for continuous enforcement without repeated court orders.

Key Directions Issued by the Court

The order includes several time-bound and proactive measures:

Immediate Blocking:
- Domain Name Registrars (DNRs) must suspend and deactivate the infringing domains within 72 hours.
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must block access to these sites across India.
Dynamic Blocking Powers:
- JioStar can notify authorities of new infringing websites discovered before or during the film’s release.
- These sites must be blocked immediately without the need for a fresh court order.
Safeguard for Legitimate Sites:
- If a non-infringing website is blocked by mistake, it can approach the Court with an undertaking not to share pirated content.
- The Court may then modify the injunction.
Government Coordination:
- The Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology must ensure compliance with the blocking orders.

Legal Precedents Cited

The Court relied on earlier Delhi High Court rulings, including:

Star India Pvt. Ltd. v. moviesverse.ac
Universal City Studios LLC v. Dotmovies.baby

These cases established the principle of dynamic injunctions to combat the evolving tactics of piracy websites.

What is a Dynamic+ Injunction?

A Dynamic+ injunction is a legal order that not only blocks specific infringing websites but also allows the rights holder to add new infringing domains to the block list in real time. This is crucial in the digital age, where piracy sites often change domain names to evade enforcement.

Industry Impact

The ruling is a major win for the Indian film industry, which loses billions annually to piracy. By granting real-time blocking powers, the Court has:

Reduced the time lag between detection and enforcement.
Increased the effectiveness of anti-piracy measures.
Sent a strong message that copyright will be protected in the digital space.

Expert Reactions

Entertainment lawyers have praised the decision as a practical and forward-looking approach to online piracy.

“This order recognises the speed at which piracy operates and matches it with equally swift legal remedies,” said a Delhi-based IP lawyer.

Film producers say the ruling will help safeguard box office revenues, especially for big-budget releases.

Next Steps in the Case

The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on January 20, 2026. Until then, the injunction will remain in force, and JioStar can continue to request blocking of new infringing sites.

Counsel Representation

For JioStar India: Advocates Sidharth Chopra, Yatinder Garg, Priyansh Kohli, and Ishi Singh (Saikrishna & Associates)
For Government Authorities: Advocate Aishwarya Kane

Why This Matters Beyond One Film

While the case concerns Jolly LLB 3, the principles laid down could benefit all content creators—from filmmakers to OTT platforms—facing similar piracy threats.

The Court’s emphasis on speed, adaptability, and coordination between private rights holders and government agencies could serve as a template for future anti-piracy enforcement in India.

In Justice Karia’s words:

“Such a relief is called for in the present case as any delay in blocking the websites would, in fact, result in considerable pecuniary loss to the plaintiff and result in irreparable violation of the copyright of the plaintiff.”

With this ruling, the Delhi High Court has signalled that digital piracy will be met with swift and decisive legal action, protecting both the creative industry and the economic value of intellectual property.