Legal News & Insights
⚖️ Victory for IPTV Player Rights: Delhi High Court Recognizes Distinction Between Player and Content Host
5/27/2025 by Avish Sharma
By: Adv. Avish Sharma
Principal Lawyer, Prodigy Legal LLP
📧 sharma.avish@prodigylegal.com
📱 WhatsApp: +91 7006444428
In a landmark moment for technology companies offering IPTV player applications, the Delhi High Court, on 10th February 2025, passed a detailed interim order in CS(COMM) 108/2025 – Star India Pvt. Ltd. v. IPTV Smarters Pro & Ors.
As counsel for Defendant No. 1 (IPTV Smarters Pro), I am pleased to share that the Hon’ble Court did not issue any restraining order to block the player app itself, affirming our argument that the app is merely a client-side video player and not an infringing content host.
📌 Background of the Dispute
Star India had moved the Delhi High Court seeking to block various IPTV apps and associated domains, alleging unauthorized streaming of its channels and content including that from Disney+Hotstar, JioCinema, and Star Sports. The plaintiff prayed for a blanket injunction against all such platforms.
🎯 Our Legal Stand: Player ≠ Platform
Representing IPTV Smarters Pro, our core submission was simple yet powerful:
“Our client is merely a software player, not a broadcaster or content provider.”
We clarified that IPTV Smarters Pro, like any other video player (e.g., VLC or MX Player), does not host or control content. It is the end-user’s configuration or external links that determine what is streamed — not the app itself.
This argument was duly noted by the Hon’ble Court. The order clearly records:
“Learned counsel appearing for defendant no. 1 submits that defendant no. 1 is only a video player and does not encourage any infringing content…” (Para 38)
✅ Outcome: No App Blocking – Focus on Domains
The Court, while recognizing the plaintiff's broader copyright concerns, limited its interim injunction to specific websites (like starshare.live, xtv.ooo, opplex.live) and did not restrain the functioning of the IPTV Smarters Pro app or similar players.
This distinction protects innovation and fair use in the digital player ecosystem, where apps should not be punished for actions taken by unrelated third-party streaming sources.
📣 Why This Matters
This case sets an important precedent for all IPTV player developers. If you're running or building such platforms, you are entitled to legal defense grounded in technological neutrality — provided you're not hosting or promoting pirated content yourself.
If your app or platform has received similar legal threats, or if you’re involved in any dispute under the IT Rules 2021, Copyright Act, or Broadcast Reproduction Rights, we’re here to help.
📞 Contact Me for Strategic Legal Defense
Adv. Avish Sharma
Principal Lawyer, Prodigy Legal LLP
📧 sharma.avish@prodigylegal.com
📱 WhatsApp: +91 7006444428