Meta Ordered to Remove Pirated Zee Content

The Delhi High Court has issued a directive to Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, to remove posts featuring pirated content from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL). This ruling provides ZEEL with immediate interim relief in its copyright infringement lawsuit against Meta.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani ordered Meta to take down specific Facebook URLs identified as hosting unauthorized copyrighted material. ZEEL had informed the court that numerous Facebook pages were illegally uploading its television programs and clips, and that these pirated videos kept reappearing even after they were removed. This ongoing issue has persisted despite nearly two years of attempted resolution and failed pre-litigation mediation.

While the court agreed to order the removal of the infringing posts, it declined ZEEL's request to block the Facebook pages entirely at this stage. The court emphasized the need for Meta to address the specific URLs containing the pirated content, requesting ZEEL to provide a soft copy of all such links for prompt action. Meta and other defendants have been directed to formally respond to ZEEL's allegations.