Madras High Court Issues John Doe Order Against Piracy Ahead of I, Nobody Release

The makers of I, Nobody, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Parvathy Thiruvothu, have secured a John Doe (Ashok Kumar) anti-piracy order from the Madras High Court to safeguard the film’s copyright ahead of its theatrical release.

The order was issued on 8 July 2026 by Justice K. Kumaresh Babu in Original Application No. 684 of 2026, C.S. (Comm. Div.) No. 197 of 2026, following a petition filed on behalf of the film’s producers by Advocate Swetha Sridhar.

📌 What is a John Doe Order?

A John Doe (Ashok Kumar) Order is a preventive legal measure that empowers copyright holders to take swift action against unknown individuals or entities involved in piracy. It enables authorities and internet service providers to block infringing content without requiring separate court orders for each violation.

The order is widely used in the Indian film industry to curb piracy immediately after a movie’s theatrical release.

🚫 Activities Prohibited Under the Court Order

The High Court has restrained all forms of copyright infringement relating to I, Nobody, including:

• Recording or camcording the film in theatres, preview shows, or promotional screenings.
• Copying, uploading, broadcasting, distributing, or sharing unauthorized versions of the film.
• Hosting or providing access to pirated copies through websites, mobile applications, torrent platforms, streaming services, or social media accounts.
• Sharing pirated links or copies through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or other online services.
• Manufacturing, selling, or distributing pirated DVDs, VCDs, or any other physical or digital copies of the film.

🌐 Who Must Comply?

The order applies to a wide range of individuals and service providers, including:

• Theatre audiences and anyone attempting unauthorized recording.
• Cable operators, Multi System Operators (MSOs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and DTH operators that transmit or fail to block pirated content after receiving notice.
• Websites, streaming platforms, torrent portals, mobile applications, and social media accounts hosting or distributing pirated material.
• Individuals sharing pirated links or copies through messaging platforms or social media.
• Anyone involved in producing, selling, or distributing pirated physical or digital copies.

⚖️ Immediate Action Against Piracy

The order authorizes the producers to request the blocking and removal of pirated websites, links, and other infringing content as soon as violations are detected. Internet Service Providers and the relevant authorities can act promptly without requiring fresh court orders for each individual instance of piracy.

📜 Legal Consequences

The producers reminded the public that piracy, unauthorized recording, broadcasting, and distribution of cinematographic works are punishable offences under:

• The Cinematograph Act, 1952 (as amended)
• The Copyright Act, 1957
• The Information Technology Act, 2000

Individuals found violating these laws may face civil and criminal proceedings, including imprisonment, substantial fines, and claims for damages.

🎬 Producers Warn Against Piracy

The makers of I, Nobody stated that they will pursue strict legal action against any individual, group, website, mobile application, or service provider involved in recording, uploading, hosting, sharing, or distributing unauthorized copies of the film.

They also appealed to moviegoers, theatre owners, film industry organizations, and digital platforms to report any instances of piracy to the producers or the concerned authorities immediately, helping protect the film’s intellectual property rights.

I, Nobody, directed by Nizam Basheer, stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Parvathy Thiruvothu in the lead roles and is scheduled for a theatrical release on 9 July.