MUMBAI: IMI, the umbrella organization of the Indian music industry is on warpath. For the past year or so, it has been working with Internet service providers (ISPs) to shutter rogue web sites which have been giving away pilfered music for free.

Last year, IMI obtained mandatory injunction orders from the Calcutta High Court (dated 27 January, 6 February, 1 March & 2 March) directing 387 ISPs to block 104 music copyright infringing websites within 36 hours of the date of the intimation. This unprecedented initiative was a result of an exhaustive petition filed by IMI and its constituencies under CPC Order 1 Rule VIII against identified ISPs like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Dishnet, Reliance Wimax, Hathway Cable, Hughes Communications, Tata Teleservices, Reliance Communications, Wipro, Sify, BG Broadband India  and another 376 other ISPs.

As a result of this, internet surfers suddenly discovered that they could not access sites such as  22beats.com, absongs.com, apniisp.com, apunkabollywood.com, bollywoodmp4.com, desifunda.net,  jaanfm.com, Kjyesudas.com, longmp3.mobi, Mp3fundoo.com and songs.pk. Some of these resurfaced in other avatars.

Now, the IMI is cracking the whip again: it has apparently obtained a court order directing ISPs to pull the plug  on  over 200 music copyright infringing websites. As per IMI sources, this year the injunction order has been obtained from various courts in the country. IMI is likely to make the announcement on 12 February.

Speaking with Radioandmusic.com, IMI president Vijay Lazarus said, “We are moving again with a large number of websites and are waiting for the court order at the earliest.”

Well, online music outlaws had better watch out. The sheriff is in town and it means business.