The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Rajya Sabha by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting on February 12, 2019. The Bill amends the Cinematograph Act, 1954.
The provision of the Bill
- The Act provides for certification of films for demonstration. The Act also levies penalties on various offences such as:
- exhibition of a film that has not been certified for public exhibition, or
- tampering with a film after it has been certified.
- Unauthorized recording:
The Bill totally prohibits a person from using a recording device to make a copy or transmit a film, without written authorization from the producer of the film.
- Persons who make copies of a film without authorization, will be punished with imprisonment of up to three years, or fine up to Rs 10 lakh.
Importance of the Bill
There are many cases of piracy and duplication of films, which affect the film industry severely due to the dipping of their revenue. So it is a long pending demand of the film industry to the government. Film industries were demanding amendments to the law preventing piracy and camcording. The proposed amendments would increase industry revenues, boost job creation, fulfill important objectives of India’s National Intellectual Property policy. It will give relief against piracy and infringing content online.
