The Committee on Piracy

The Committee on Piracy constituted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting submitted its report to I&B Minister Ambika Soni .The idea to set up a committee to suggest measures to combat various
forms of piracy, namely, films, video, cable and music piracy emerged during the 27th State Information Ministers‘ Conference held in New Delhi on December 5, 2009. The Committee was set up on December 18, 2010 with the mandate to recommend measures to combat film, video, cable and music piracy.
The recommendations made by the committee are as follows:
 Cable Television Networks Act should be amended in order to replace the existing system of registration of cable operators with the licensing system.
 Multiplex and theatre operators should be made responsible for preventing camcorders being carried inside theatres during the screening of films.
 The Internet Service Providers should be roped in to check Internet piracy by asking them to initiate action against errant subscribers.
 States should enact legislation for preventive detention of audio and video pirates as done in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
 Video pirates may also be brought under the definition of ‗Goondas‘ under the Goonda Act.
 Prices of genuine DVDs should be brought down to make them affordable
 Genuine DVDs should be released simultaneously with theatrical release in order to make piracy unviable.
 Traditional 35 mm screens should be converted into digital ones so as to facilitate simultaneous release of films across the country and reduce distribution costs
 The option of allowing copyright owners to register with the Copyright Office online should be explored. Alternatively, ―censor‖ certificate granted by CBFC should be treated as evidence of copyright.