Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 - Piracy

[JMP]

New measures against piracy were passed by the Indian parliament, the part highlighted in bold is important.

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday cleared the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The Bill which was tabled in Rajya Sabha last week by Union information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur seeks to make amendments to the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The Bill intends to ensure that the film industry content “does not suffer due to piracy as the menace causes heavy loss to the industry”.

The Bill further seeks to introduce new sections in the Cinematograph Act with provisions to prohibit the unauthorised recording of films (section 6AA) and their exhibition (section 6AB). Provision 6AA prohibits the recording of any part of the film for the sole usage on the same device, the report further mentioned.

...this Bill will impose Rs. 3 lakh fine on anyone involved in such activities....under this Bill, anyone who is involved in piracy will be given a 3-year imprisonment sentence.

Source

 

[n1r0]

What changed exactly? Is this aimed at movie reviewers who use clips, or are people posting reels while watching movies?

The wording seems poor: "...for the sole usage on the same device". Does that mean pirates can record it as long as they are distributing it to be watched on other devices?

There should be a law to prohibit ads before movies in multiplexes. The sheer number of ads being shown to a paying customer is insane. The ticket is already expensive compared to a single screen. Then snacks are priced exorbitantly. On top of all this, ads. It's almost like the govt. is encouraging/supporting piracy.

 

[6pack]

All these laws are passed taking industry "experts" advice. Think US level lobbying here. I doubt any minister cares about any law he signs on. Everything is free for them.

 

[cellar_door]

What changed exactly? Is this aimed at movie reviewers who use clips, or are people posting reels while watching movies?

The wording seems poor: "...for the sole usage on the same device". Does that mean pirates can record it as long as they are distributing it to be watched on other devices?

There should be a law to prohibit ads before movies in multiplexes. The sheer number of ads being shown to a paying customer is insane. The ticket is already expensive compared to a single screen. Then snacks are priced exorbitantly. On top of all this, ads. It's almost like the govt. is encouraging/supporting piracy.

If you havent noticed, that is a running theme on almost all contentious bills recently passed or under consideration. Forest construction bill, DNA bill, Data privacy bill etc etc.

The phrasing being intentionally vague allows them to fully abuse the law to the benefit of a corporation or arrest people under dubious circumstances.

 

[Mr.J]

If you havent noticed, that is a running theme on almost all contentious bills recently passed or under consideration. Forest construction bill, DNA bill, Data privacy bill etc etc.

The phrasing being intentionally vague allows them to fully abuse the law to the benefit of a corporation or arrest people under dubious circumstances.

Exactly. It can even be abused to take down videos that criticize obvious propaganda movies. You know which ones I'm talking about.

 

[lockhrt999]

If you havent noticed, that is a running theme on almost all contentious bills recently passed or under consideration. Forest construction bill, DNA bill, Data privacy bill etc etc.

The phrasing being intentionally vague allows them to fully abuse the law to the benefit of a corporation or arrest people under dubious circumstances.

I was going to say the same thing.

 

[dpandey]

The Bill further seeks to introduce new sections in the Cinematograph Act with provisions to prohibit the unauthorised recording of films (section 6AA) and their exhibition (section 6AB). Provision 6AA prohibits the recording of any part of the film for the sole usage on the same device, the report further mentioned.

The wording seems poor: "...for the sole usage on the same device". Does that mean pirates can record it as long as they are distributing it to be watched on other devices?

Here is the actual wording:

https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/bills_parliament/2023/Cinematography_Bill_2023.pdf

The article was prob written by an intern.

 

[6pack]

Probably targetting cricket matches or other large scale events where people can take out their phones and start recording to post on FB, Insta, YT, etc.