In yet another ‘John Doe‘ order from the Delhi High Court, media company Arha Media and Broadcasting obtained a blanket order on Wednesday restraining all websites and broadcasters, including www.vcinemas.com, and the ‘world at large’ from airing its talk show ‘Unstoppable,’ which is streamed via its OTT platform and features Nandamuri Balakrishna as host. The media company was represented in the high court by the law firm Anand and Naik, and the case was argued by veteran attorneys Ameet Naik and Pravin Anand.

The company recently approached the HC by filing a ‘John Doe‘ suit seeking an injunction to prevent illegal and unauthorized distribution of the original web talk show, which is set to air its next episode tomorrow (December 30) with Telugu film industry superstar ‘Prabhas’. The company anticipates a high level of viewership for this episode, which will result in a higher monetary gain. It has already spent Rs 17 crore on the talk-show series’ production, promotion, and marketing.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva issued the order prohibiting the ‘world at large’ from infringing on the talk show and its future episodes and seasons, as well as the identified rogue websites that engage in infringing activities. Given the company’s investments in the talk-show series, the HC has concluded that any illegal broadcasting would have a significant impact on the company’s monetary interests as well as the value of the talk-show series.

Commenting on the verdict, veteran lawyer Ameet Naik, Joint Managing Partner of Anand and Naik said: “Piracy of films, web series, entertainment content has always been a huge menace in the Media and Entertainment industry. Before a film is released in theatres, there are rogue websites and various links which make the movie available to the public at large, which has a significant adverse effect on the commercial performance of the film. To combat the said menace, the Courts have historically been indulgent in granting ‘John Doe’ orders before the release of films. The present order passed by the Delhi High Court passed in favor of Arha Media owner of the OTT platform ‘aha’, is a similar order wherein the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has granted John Doe order for the show “Unstoppable” originally produced and made available exclusively by an OTT platform, wherein infringing links were making the show and its episodes available, even before the release of the show on the OTT platform. The order of Delhi High Court to address piracy and grant reliefs is highly commendable”.

‘Unstoppable’ premiered on November 4, 2021, and ended in February 2022. Following the success of season one, season two began in October of this year and is still running.