The government informed the Lok Sabha that it has taken strict action against online piracy by disabling more than 3,100 Telegram channels and around 800 websites found to be hosting or distributing pirated content. The move is part of a broader crackdown aimed at protecting intellectual property and strengthening enforcement against digital piracy.
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan stated that the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, has significantly reinforced the legal framework to curb film piracy. He highlighted that newly introduced provisions, Sections 6AA and 6AB, specifically prohibit the unauthorised recording and transmission of films, targeting one of the most common forms of piracy.
He further explained that under Section 7(1A), violations of these provisions attract strict penalties. Offenders can face a minimum imprisonment of three months along with a fine of Rs 3 lakh, which may extend up to three years in jail and a fine reaching up to 5 percent of the film’s audited gross production cost.
As part of enforcement, the government issued a notification under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, directing the Telegram platform to remove and disable access to 3,142 channels. These channels were found to be sharing copyrighted material belonging to content creators, OTT platforms, and production houses without authorization, thereby violating the Copyright Act, 1957.
In addition to action on Telegram, authorities also directed Internet Service Providers to block access to approximately 800 websites that were hosting pirated content. This coordinated approach aims to limit the availability of illegal material across both messaging platforms and traditional web domains.
The government’s actions indicate a stronger regulatory push to safeguard the film and entertainment industry from financial losses caused by piracy, while also sending a deterrent message to individuals and networks involved in such illegal activities.
