Domain attacker seeks £93,345 for JioHotstar.com, Reliance refuses offer amid legal threats

Hyderabad: The JioHotstar.com domain has sparked a legal dispute as Reliance Industries moves to resolve the issue of domain squatting linked to its potential future ventures. The domain owner, a Delhi-based app developer, revealed that it purchased the domain in early 2023, anticipating a possible merger or collaboration between Reliance’s Jio and Disney+ Hotstar.

The developer, who describes himself as a startup founder, says he bought the domain after noticing reports of Disney+ Hotstar losing users following the loss of IPL streaming rights. The owner hypothesized that a merger or acquisition involving Reliance could lead to Hotstar being rebranded as “JioHotstar”. Based on this assumption, they purchased the domain, hoping that its potential value could help finance their education at Cambridge University.

In a recent update, the domain owner revealed that he requested £93,345 from Reliance – an amount equivalent to the tuition fees for an Executive MBA program. This request, however, was turned down by Ambujesh Yadav, AVP of Commercials at Reliance, who reportedly rejected the offer and suggested possible legal action against the domain holder.

The domain owner publicly expressed disappointment at the rejection and expressed concern about facing legal action from such a large company. They maintain that the acquisition of the domain did not infringe any trademark as “JioHotstar” did not exist at the time of purchase. The owner further argues that there is currently no registered trademark for the name and has asked for legal assistance to help defend his case.

The incident highlights the growing tension around domain squatting, especially as companies like Reliance continue to expand their digital offerings. As the case unfolds, the legal battle between the domain holder and Reliance could set a precedent for future domain disputes in India. The owner’s plea for reconsideration and support has attracted attention, but Reliance is yet to make any official public statement.

With the popularity of Jio and Hotstar in India’s streaming market, this dispute could also highlight the growing need for companies to protect digital assets as part of their brand protection strategy in an evolving technological landscape.