How Courts Act Against Sites Like Filmy4wap
Websites like Filmy4wap, which illegally distribute copyrighted movies, TV shows, and web series, are targeted by courts primarily under India’s Copyright Act, 1957, and Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act), with additional support from international treaties. Courts employ a range of legal mechanisms to combat these piracy platforms, focusing on blocking access, seizing assets, and enabling enforcement actions. Below is a detailed analysis of how courts in India and, to a lesser extent, globally act against such sites, supported by recent examples and legal frameworks.
Key Legal Mechanisms Used by Courts
- John Doe Orders (Injunctions)
- What It Is: Courts issue John Doe orders (also called Ashok Kumar orders in India) to block access to piracy websites without naming specific defendants, allowing broad action against sites like Filmy4wap and their mirror domains.
- Legal Basis:
- Section 55, Copyright Act, 1957: Allows copyright holders to seek injunctions to prevent infringement.
- Section 69A, IT Act, 2000: Empowers courts to order ISPs to block websites that threaten public order or violate laws, including copyright infringement.
- How It Works:
- Copyright holders (e.g., film studios like Yash Raj Films, Netflix) file petitions in high courts (often Delhi or Bombay High Courts) identifying piracy sites.
- Courts direct ISPs (e.g., Jio, Airtel) to block access to listed domains and their proxies/mirrors.
- Example: In 2023, the Delhi High Court issued a John Doe order blocking over 100 piracy sites, including Filmy4wap variants, at the request of studios like Warner Bros. and Disney. In 2025, similar orders targeted new Filmy4wap domains (e.g., filmy4wap.xyz, filmy4wap.me).
- Impact: Blocks access for millions of users, though sites often resurface with new domains, requiring repeated orders.