The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is looking to introduce amendments in the Cinematograph Act to impose stricter penalties to combat film piracy.

In the draft Cinematograph Act (Amendment Bill), which is in the public consultation stage, the Ministry proposes to make film piracy offences punishable with imprisonment of three years and fines of upto ₹10 lakh or both.

“Film piracy, particularly release of pirated version of films on the Internet, causes huge losses to the film industry and the government exchequer. It is, therefore, felt necessary to have enabling provision in the Cinematograph Act, 1952, in order to check film piracy,” the Ministry said .

It said while “penalties for contravention of provisions for certification of films for public exhibition are given under Section 7 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952”, it is now proposed to add new sub-sections to the Act.

The Ministry is seeking public comments for introduction of these amendments. Individuals, who without the written authorisation of the copyright owner uses any recording device to make or transmit a copy of visual recording or sound recording of a film, will be liable for such a punishment.

Such individuals, “shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding three years and shall also be liable to fine not exceeding ₹10 lakh....or both,” according to the proposed amendment.

The I&B Ministry has been looking to overhaul the Cinematograph Act after it received recommendations from a committee of experts headed by film-maker Shyam Benegal. The committee had submitted its recommendations to the Ministry in 2016.

Meanwhile, in its written response to a Lok Sabha question, the Ministry on Thursday said, that two rounds of consultative meetings have been held on the issue but no consensus could be reached.

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