The Bombay High Court has imposed a strict three-hour deadline on internet service providers and digital platforms to disable access to unauthorised copies of the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Ramayana upon receiving a takedown notice from the film’s copyright holder or its authorised representative.
Justice Ashish S. Chavan issued the directions on November 6, after the film’s copyright owner, Godpower Media Private Limited, approached the Court complaining that pirated material had begun appearing across digital platforms following its theatrical release on November 5.
The Court also directed the concerned intermediaries to furnish details of designated nodal officers and confirm in writing that they have the necessary infrastructure and personnel to respond to infringement complaints in real time.
Godpower Media, which holds the copyright in the film, moved an urgent application seeking additional directions to ensure effective enforcement of the anti-piracy protection granted earlier by the High Court on November 2.
The company submitted that notices and reminders had been issued to internet service providers and digital platforms on November 4, but several of them had not provided confirmation that they would act promptly on requests to remove infringing material.
Senior Advocate Ashish Kamat, appearing for the company, argued that delays in processing takedown requests could defeat the very purpose of copyright protection, particularly during the crucial initial days following a film’s theatrical release.
He submitted that pirated copies and clips could be circulated and replicated across multiple platforms within a short period, making subsequent removal increasingly difficult.
Accepting the concerns raised by the copyright owner, Justice Chavan noted that unauthorised material relating to the film had already started appearing on various online platforms after its theatrical release.
The Court accordingly directed internet service providers and platform defendants to respond to every takedown or blocking request issued by Godpower Media or its authorised representative without delay, and in all circumstances within three hours of receiving such notice.
The direction effectively establishes a definite outer time limit for compliance, supplementing the earlier requirement of immediate action.
Apart from the takedown deadline, the High Court directed the concerned platforms and service providers to furnish written confirmation that appropriate systems and personnel were available to implement the order on an immediate and real-time basis.
They have also been asked to disclose the name, email address and telephone number of their designated nodal officers to facilitate prompt communication and action on infringement complaints.
The requirement is intended to ensure that the copyright owner has an identifiable point of contact for pursuing urgent removal requests rather than having to navigate prolonged complaint procedures.
The November 6 directions supplement the anti-piracy injunction granted by the High Court on November 2, when it restrained unidentified persons from recording, uploading, streaming, downloading or otherwise distributing the film, or any portion of it, without authorisation.
The earlier order also covered infringing material circulated through websites, social media platforms and other digital channels, including mirror and proxy websites.
The latest directions will remain subject to further orders passed by the regular bench. The matter has been listed for further consideration on December 16, 2026.
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