The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on November 03, 2023, issued a press release regarding the Major action to curb film piracy
The following has been state namely: -
• It has established an institutional mechanism for Nodal Officers to receive complaints against piracy and direct the intermediaries to take down pirated content on digital platforms.
• The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 aims to incorporate provisions against film piracy, including digital piracy
• The amendment includes a strict punishment of a minimum 3 months imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 3 lakh which can be extended up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine up to 5% of the audited gross production cost.
• It states that an original copyright holder or any person authorized by them for this purpose can apply to the Nodal Officer to take down pirated content. If a complaint is raised by a person who does not hold the copyright or is not authorized by the copyright holder, the Nodal Officer can hold hearings on a case-to-case basis to decide the genuineness of the complaint before issuing the direction.
• It further states that After receiving directions from the Nodal Officer under the law, the digital platform will be obliged to remove such internet links hosting pirated content within a period of 48 hours.
[Press Release ID 1974394]
