It is estimated that the Indian cinema is facing a loss of not less than ₹20,000 crore a year due to piracy.
Union government to receive complaints against piracy. (iStock)
Hombale Films, a leading production house from Karnataka that is credited with the humongous success of pan-India projects, including the KGF series (2018 & 2022) and Kantara (2022), has thanked the Union government for its move to appoint nodal officers to address the issue of film piracy.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently established an institutional mechanism of “Nodal Officers” to receive complaints against piracy and direct the intermediaries to take down pirated content on digital platforms.
The Union government made the appointments in the wake of the Parliament passing the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act of 1952, mainly to address the issue of piracy.
With the latest appointments, CBFC and I&B officers will be authorised to directly block/takedown any website/App/link carrying pirated film content.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, it is estimated that the film industry was facing a loss of not less than ₹20,000 crore a year due to piracy.
The ministry said, “The action (appointment of nodal officers) would allow instant action by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in case of piracy and will provide relief to the industry.”
Heartfelt appreciation to the Government of India and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for taking decisive steps to curb film piracy.
This action strengthens the foundation of our industry and preserves the integrity of creativity. Thank you for safeguarding the world of… https://t.co/19yho4aH1b— Hombale Films (@hombalefilms) November 4, 2023
Who can avail?
As regards who can avail of the facility, the ministry stated that an original copyright holder or any person authorised by them for such a purpose can apply to the Nodal Officer to take down pirated content.
Insofar as a complaint is raised by a person who does not hold the copyright or is not authorised 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 directions.
“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 48 hours,” it added.
The amendment includes a strict punishment of a minimum of three months imprisonment and a fine of ₹3 lakh, which can be extended up to three years imprisonment and a fine of up to five percent of the audited gross production cost.
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