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Tag: IPL 2023

  • Viacom18’s action against FairPlay results in the arrest of key stakeholder of the betting platform!

    Viacom18’s action against FairPlay results in the arrest of key stakeholder of the betting platform!

    Mumbai: During the unprecedented success of IPL 2023, Viacom18 was locked in legal battle against the betting website ‘FairPlay’ for the  infringement of digital streaming rights of Viacom18. This update comes on the heels of the arrest of Gulam Abbas Muni, a key figure behind FairPlay’s operations in India. The saga, originating in early 2023 with the media buzz surrounding IPL, has unfolded with the entertainment network Viacom18 taking due legal recourse in the face of infringement of their exclusive rights.

    Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. general counsel commented on the matter, stating, “The unlawful streaming made it imperative for us to intervene promptly. After almost a whole year of persistence we now have one of the perpetrators behind bars. In such cases prompt action is of utmost importance. The damage caused was not just financial but also to our reputation. At Viacom18, we consistently strive to stay ahead of infringers/pirates through proactive legal measures and will continue to do so.”

    Taking advantage of the hype around IPL 2023, the online betting platform ‘FairPlay’ falsely advertised across print, digital media, and hoardings in Mumbai and other major cities. Not only endorsing the gaming/betting website but also illicitly associating itself with the streaming rights of  IPL, using taglines like “Watch IPL for Free, LIVE”. Subsequently, it was revealed that IPL 2023 was being unlawfully streamed on the FairPlay platform.

    Having secured the digital rights for IPL from BCCI for a period of 5 years, Viacom18 took swift measures by seeking a pre-infringement injunction. By an order dated 21st December 2022 passed by the Hon’ble Madras High Court, more than 4,750 specified websites, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), unknown parties were restrained from streaming/hosting/downloading/exhibiting/transmitting or making available content that violates Viacom18’s rights in the IPL.

    On 19th April 2023, the Hon’ble Madras High Court granted an Injunction against FairPlay, thereby restraining the unauthorized digital streaming/hosting/downloading/exhibiting/transmitting of the IPL 2023 on the FairPlay website, including any advertisements. Given FairPlay’s infringement of Viacom18’s rights, Viacom18 filed a suit before the Madras High Court and filed an application for Interim Injunction against FairPlay.

    Furthering their commitment to protecting their rights, Viacom18 filed a criminal complaint before the Maharashtra Cyber Digital Crime Unit (MCDCU) against FairPlay and its owners and distributors, namely Abbas, Penny, and Joe, for copyright infringement, criminal conspiracy, and cheating, among other offenses, thus enforcing Viacom18’s rights in IPL.

    After months of thorough investigation, on 12 December 2023, the MCDCU successfully arrested Abbas, one of the prime accused. The Accused Gulam Abbas Muni was produced before the Court on the same day and has been remanded to police custody until the next date.

    In conclusion, through prompt and proactive actions, Viacom18 has continued their fight against piracy, resulting in a successful enforcement of its rights and reducing piracy.

  • Havas Media Group India relaunches Havas Sports & Entertainment

    Havas Media Group India relaunches Havas Sports & Entertainment

    Mumbai: With the evolving sports eco-system in India and its exponential growth, Havas Media Group India on Thursday announced the relaunch of Havas Sports & Entertainment, the sports & sponsorship vertical of the agency. To begin this revivified journey, Havas Sports & Entertainment India has facilitated a two-year (2022-2023) landmark deal between Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Swiggy Instamart, as the official on-ground partner for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 and 2023. 

    “Our market intelligence revealed that while the sports genre has exploded in India, there are glaring gaps in marketing and brand solutions in this space. Therefore, to address these gaps, we are relaunching Havas Sports and Entertainment 2.0 that will offer first-in-India brands solutions,” said Havas Media Group India president & national head investments R Venkatasubramanian. “The USP of this division is embedded in its offerings like media strategy, brand solutions through marquee sporting events and delivering a world-class experience in this space.”

    This association aims to reaffirm Havas Sports & Entertainment’s commitment towards the evolving sports genre in India and not just in cricket. With the growth in other sporting leagues, increase in investments and commercials, Havas Sports & Entertainment will have a fresh approach towards sporting events across Football, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Badminton and more, stated the agency.

    “Over the years, our association with the mega cricketing event has helped establish the fact that food and cricket go hand-in-hand,” Swiggy head of brand Ashish Lingamneni said. “IPL is one of the most celebrated sports leagues in the world, and this year, we are excited to partner with the BCCI to offer a wholesome experience to audiences with our large assortment of munchies, beverages and other snackable options through our quick commerce grocery service, Instamart. The association brings with it the IPL fandom and reach to elevate the match viewing experience of millions of viewers. It will additionally help us drive clutter-breaking campaigns, varied consumer engagement, and business offerings at scale.” 

    Besides sports engagement, Havas Sports & Entertainment will be actively investing in bespoke research to understand the ever-evolving consumer behaviour, interests, and consumption; like the research conducted last year, Hi-Cricket – a proprietary study to understand the impact of IPL 2021 in influencing brand health metrics across categories, according to the agency. This year too, HMG India will be launching Hi-Cricket 2022 during IPL, offering 360-degree solutions by bridging advertisers and brands’ interests, and decoding India’s biggest sporting event.
     
    “The sports advertising market in India is estimated upwards of Rs 8000+ crore,” said Havas Group India Group CEO Rana Barua. “The sports genre is pegged to explode further giving advertisers across sectors various opportunities to create long term value. The relaunch of Havas Sports & Entertainment 2.0 comes at a significant time, and we’re excited to kickstart its journey by facilitating a landmark partnership between India’s biggest sporting event, IPL, and our long-standing unicorn client, Swiggy. We look forward to further consolidating our position in the sports and experiential market by forging many more strategic partnerships and offering integrated and meaningful solutions.”

    However, with the influx in emerging technologies the sports industry in India is growing on the back of newer trends that has opened massive opportunities for brands and marketers. The amalgamation of the real and digital worlds, with availability of tangible data and analytics, evolution of e-sports and fantasy leagues, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and immersive technologies have put the sports genre in India on a massive growth trajectory.

    “Havas Sports & Entertainment’s resurgence comes on the heels of a revamped team and expertise, and in line with Havas Group’s recent launch of a Virtual Village in the metaverse – The Sandbox video game,” stated Havas Media Group India CEO Mohit Joshi. “R Venkatasubramanian will continue to invest in the vertical by having a dedicated team who have the precise knowledge and expertise in marketing and branding activities through consultancy, partnerships, activations & associations. We look forward to collaborating with traditional and digital media partners, platforms and content creators to offer an immersive and augmented experience and help brands create a meaningful connection with the sports and gaming community.”

    Over the years, Havas Sports & Entertainment has partnered various sporting events, driving strategy for clients across sectors like automobile, e-commerce, online education, retail, FMCG, health, financial services and is working with clients such as Swiggy, Bira, RenewBuy, Sujata, TVS Eurogrip, Hyundai, Domino’s, KIA, Voltas, Realme, Oyo and Gamezy, to name a few.