DoT India blocks 23 gaming websites misusing Zupee brand
India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has ordered internet service providers to block 23 unauthorised websites found to be illegally using the trademark “Zupee” to promote online gaming platforms. The move follows a series of directives from the Delhi High Court in an ongoing trademark infringement case filed by Cashgrail Private Limited, the parent company of Zupee.
Zupee’s trademark
The case, titled Cashgrail Private Limited vs John Doe & Others (CS(COMM) 265/2025), began when Cashgrail approached the after discovering several websites falsely claiming affiliation with Zupee, according to the Storyboard18. The company informed the court that multiple domains had previously been blocked under interim orders but had re-emerged using new domain names.
On 25 July 2025, Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora passed an order directing the defendants to ensure compliance with both past and current injunctions. The order included the blocking of 13 domains that had changed names to bypass previous court rulings.
Fake websites imitating Zupee exposed
Websites such as zupee.gold, playzupeegames.com, zupeeapps.com, and mobile.zupeegame.in were among those highlighted by the Court. These domains were found to be using Zupee’s name and branding without authorisation to lure users into downloading games, risking not just user confusion but also potential data breaches.
The court also added nine more newly identified infringing websites to the case, including zupeeapk.shop, ludo.games, and zupeeludoapp.com. These sites were found to be part of the same misleading pattern and were also ordered to be blocked.
DoT issues blocking order to all ISPs
Following the court’s directive, the Department of Telecommunications issued a follow-up order on 27 July 2025, directing all Indian ISPs with licenses to block the 23 websites on the list right away. The goal of the directive is to stop unauthorised use of Zupee’s trademark, and it applies to both the older and recently found domains.
All Indian ISPs with internet service authorisation are subject to the order, and it is anticipated that enforcement will begin right away. This move demonstrates the government’s commitment to combating trademark infringement and online impersonation in the quickly growing online gaming industry.
Court recognises case of trademark infringement
The Delhi High Court, after reviewing the evidence presented by Cashgrail, held that the company had made out a strong prima facie case. The court found that the unauthorised domains were likely to confuse users and damage Zupee’s reputation and business interests.
Justice Arora also noted that the balance of convenience was clearly in favour of the plaintiff. If these websites continued to operate, the court warned, unsuspecting users could face financial and data-related risks.
Next hearing set for September
The matter will next be heard on 9 September 2025. Until then, Zupee continues to pursue legal measures to protect its brand identity in India’s booming online gaming market.
The case underlines the rising challenge of digital impersonation and highlights the legal remedies available to companies facing trademark abuse online.
