Civil Court orders blocking of 'HilayTV' over World Cup broadcast
The Civil Court has ordered the blocking of the HilayTV website and its associated applications for illegally broadcasting channels and sporting events for which MediaNet holds exclusive local rights. The court authorized telecommunications providers, including Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, to restrict access to the site and directed the police and relevant authorities to assist in enforcing the measure. This temporary injunction will remain in effect until the case is resolved, as the unauthorized distribution violates copyright laws and causes significant financial losses to MediaNet.
Medianet workers assisting customers. | RaajjeMV
The Civil Court on Thursday issued an injunction to block the website HilayTV and its associated applications for broadcasting copyrighted content.
The order was issued following a case filed by MediaNet Private Limited to halt activities that infringe upon its exclusive broadcasting rights.
The order, issued by Civil Court Judge Ali Naseer, noted that HilayTV has been unauthorizedly broadcasting channels and content for which MediaNet holds exclusive distribution rights in the Maldives. This includes popular channels such as Disney, Star Plus, Colors, and MTV India, as well as broadcasting rights for major sporting events, including La Liga and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The court order further stated that MediaNet acquired these rights for the Maldives through significant financial investment.
In this case, the Civil Court has also issued an injunction against telecommunications service providers. Accordingly, Dhiraagu, Ooredoo, and ROL have been ordered to block the website HilayTV along with all associated domains, IP addresses, and applications. Furthermore, the court ordered that any new links or applications used to broadcast such content in the future must also be blocked upon notification by MediaNet.
The court issued this order following violations of the Copyright Act and the Broadcasting Act by HilayTV. As it was proven to the court that the website's infringement on MediaNet’s rights could result in irreparable financial losses for the company, the injunction will remain in effect until a final judgment is reached in the case.
Furthermore, the court has granted MediaNet the opportunity to seek assistance from the police and relevant state authorities regarding this matter. In this regard, the court ordered the Maldives Police Service and the Communications Authority of the Maldives to provide the necessary assistance in enforcing the court order.
