Winning Bizness Desk
App Developer’s ₹1 Crore Demand from Reliance Prompts Legal Response, Domain Ends Up in Dubai
Mumbai. The ongoing dispute over the JioHotstar.com domain has taken an unexpected turn, as two young siblings from Dubai, Jainam and Jeevika, have now purchased the domain from an anonymous app developer in Delhi. The developer originally acquired the domain in 2023, anticipating it might be of value as news of a JioCinema and Hotstar merger emerged. He then posted a letter on the JioHotstar.com site, demanding ₹1 crore from Reliance Industries in exchange for the domain, aiming to use the funds for his EMBA studies at Cambridge University.
1. Initial Demand: The dispute began when the Delhi-based developer posted a letter on JioHotstar.com, stating he would transfer the domain to Reliance for ₹1 crore, which he intended to use for tuition fees.
2. Reliance’s Response: According to the developer, Reliance's Assistant Vice President (Commercials), Ambujesh Yadav, had reached out to discuss the domain. However, the developer declined the offer, prompting Reliance to consider legal action.
3. Domain Transfer to Dubai: On Saturday, a new landing page appeared on JioHotstar.com, announcing that Dubai-based siblings Jainam and Jeevika had purchased the domain to assist the developer financially. The duo stated that the purchase amount fell short of the developer's needs but was intended as a gesture of support.
4. Siblings’ Content Creation: Jainam and Jeevika, who are known for their YouTube content on toys and games, shared a video explaining their decision to buy the domain. Their NGO, the Jainam Jeevika Foundation, is led by directors Kantilal Shankarlal Jain and Shobha Kantilal Jain.
5. Social Media Buzz: The news has caused a surge in online searches for "Reliance Jio Hotstar Domain," with the topic trending on Google.
Background on the JioCinema-Hotstar Merger
The potential value of the JioHotstar.com domain stems from an anticipated merger between Reliance Industries’ Viacom 18 and Walt Disney's Star India. The merger, which was announced in February, is expected to be completed by November. This deal will bring Viacom 18 under the Star India umbrella, consolidating Reliance's streaming assets.
Understanding the Importance of a Domain
In digital terms, a domain is essentially a website's address on the internet. It has two parts: the Top-Level Domain (TLD) and the Second-Level Domain (SLD). TLDs include extensions like .com, .org, .net, which denote the nature of the website, while the SLD is the unique name associated with it. For instance, in “jiohotstar.com,” “jiohotstar” is the SLD, while “.com” is the TLD. The JioHotstar.com dispute has drawn attention not only for its legal and financial implications but also for the public interest around the domain, showcasing how online identities are highly valued in today’s digital world.
