HC bans operators from unauthorised telecast of Euro 2008

The Delhi High Court has ordered in favour of ESPN Star Sports (ESPN), in its suit for permanent injunction filed against cable operators across the country against unauthorized broadcast of the ongoing UEFA Euro 2008 and the forthcoming Asia Cup 2008.The order restrains all cable operators from unauthorisedly showing the two tournaments through their cable networks. The Euro 2008 is being telecast on ESPN and Star Sports, and Asia Cup 2008 Cricket tournament will be broadcasted on ESPN and Star Cricket.ESPN in its suit before the Court claimed that "the defendants, approximately 100 cable operators, are taking unauthorized connections and they are unauthorisedly accessing signals of the plaintiff without taking license from the company."The Court has also permitted ESPN to take action against all other cable operators not party to the suit but are found to be unauthorisedly utilising the feed.Vijay Rajput, COO, ESPN Software India, said, "We are delighted with the verdict. The honorable High Court has made it clear that piracy will not be tolerated. We will have a team of observers across the country to ensure that piracy does not happen and in case we spot any, we will align with the police to bring the guilty to book."
Televisionpoint.com Correspondent New Delhi
Monday - Jun 16, 2008
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