The Information & Broadcasting ministry on November 3 said that it had appointed nodal officers to act on complaints of piracy and empowered them to issue directions to take down pirated content from digital platforms. This initiative is the first of its kind following amendment to the Cinematograph Act earlier this year. It has put in place an institutional mechanism to act against film piracy. The punishment includes an imprisonment of three months extendable up to three years, and a fine of Rs. 3 lakh, also extendable up to 5% of the audited gross production cost.
Union I & B minister Anurag Thakur said, “It is believed that Rs. 20,000-25,000 crore yearly loss is registered due to piracy in India.” On November 3, the ministry notified the appointment of 12 nodal officers in MIB and the Central Board of Film Certification and said that content producers could direct their complaints to them. Union I & B secretary Apurva Chandra said that action would be initiated against the erring persons within 48 hours.
Officials said, original copyright holders or persons authorised by them can complain to the nodal officers to take down pirated content from YouTube, Telegram channels, websites or other online platforms. Of course, they would have to prove the genuineness of complaints for this. But this provision does not apply to OTT platforms.