In a landmark move to combat online movie piracy, India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has empowered the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with new authority. This significant development arises from the recent passage of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill in July 2023, which amends the original Cinematograph Act of 1952. The amendment aims to address the growing challenge of online movie piracy, while also updating the regulations governing film screenings in India.
Under the amended Act, the CBFC is now authorized to direct online platforms, including popular ones like YouTube and Telegram, to remove films that have been pirated. This move underscores a proactive approach to protecting intellectual property in the digital age. To enforce this new rule, the Ministry has established a protocol involving ‘Nodal Officers’. Stationed at the CBFC’s Mumbai headquarters and its regional offices in major filmmaking hubs, these officers are tasked with processing complaints about online piracy. Upon receiving a complaint, they will instruct the concerned websites to remove the illicit content.In an inclusive approach, the new system allows anyone, not just the copyright holders, to report pirated films. This openness is designed to broaden the net in catching piracy but also presents potential challenges in handling the volume of complaints. Presently, a team of only 12 members is assigned for this task across India. Given the high frequency of piracy-related complaints, notably to platforms like Google, this could be a daunting task for the team.The process for filing complaints remains somewhat ambiguous. While there is an indication of a paper-based submission, the exact methodology, whether digital or manual, is not yet clear. This ambiguity might lead to some initial confusion among the public. However, this initiative represents a significant stride in India’s ongoing battle against movie piracy. It reflects a commitment to adapting legal and administrative frameworks to the evolving landscape of digital content consumption and copyright infringement. This move by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is a crucial step towards safeguarding the interests of filmmakers and the integrity of the film industry in the digital era.
