As the merger between JioCinema and Hotstar progresses, an unexpected challenge has surfaced regarding the domain name JioHotstar.com. A 28-year-old app developer from Delhi had already acquired the domain, setting the stage for an intriguing standoff. The entrepreneur is now demanding more than ₹1 crore (approximately £93,345) for the domain, with plans to use the funds to finance an executive MBA at Cambridge University. In an interview with India Today’s Fact Check team, the developer explained how he anticipated the merger and secured the domain before Reliance had a chance to respond.
The app developer
The app developer, who has chosen to remain anonymous for now, describes himself as an ambitious middle-class individual. With a government-employed father and a homemaker mother, his background is one that resonates with many in India. He had launched a startup focused on film recommendation algorithms but faced financial limitations when trying to expand. Despite these setbacks, he remains optimistic about securing the funds needed to pursue his MBA aspirations.
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Interestingly, this entrepreneur has already had a brief experience with Cambridge University. He was selected for a short-term program at the renowned institution, which he completed online during the pandemic. Now, he hopes to return for a full executive MBA program, ideally funded by selling the JioHotstar.com domain.
Foresight of the merger
How did this developer manage to snag the domain ahead of one of India’s largest conglomerates? According to him, it was a combination of foresight and luck. In September 2023, rumors about a potential merger between JioCinema and Hotstar were circulating. Trusting his instincts, he decided to register the domain for under ₹5,000, gambling on the possibility that its value would skyrocket as the merger unfolded.
Going public
At first, the developer attempted to reach out to Reliance directly. He sent emails to several senior executives but received no replies. Frustrated by the lack of response, he made his demand public by posting an open letter on the JioHotstar.com website, requesting ₹1 crore to finance his MBA. While Reliance eventually got in touch, they reportedly only offered to reimburse his registration fees and cautioned him about possible legal consequences.
Despite the pushback, the developer remains hopeful that Reliance will reconsider his request. He contends that the sum he’s asking for is minimal in comparison to the company’s enormous financial resources, and believes there’s still a chance they might meet his demands.
Legal Aid
The developer admits feeling overwhelmed by the situation, citing several attempts to hack his account and reset the domain’s password. Although legal experts, including some from the Supreme Court and Cambridge, have offered their assistance pro bono, he remains hesitant to take on Reliance in court.
“I don’t want to enter a legal battle against the Ambanis. I know my limits,” he says, recognizing the significant power imbalance.
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