National
Accord to curb video piracy
NEW DELHI, DEC. 8. Cable operators today agreed to screen new films on their channels only a year after their release unless rights were obtained earlier, in an agreement that could have far- reaching effects in curbing video piracy.
The agreement was signed by senior representatives of the film industry and cable operators in the presence of the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ms. Sushma Swaraj, and the Joint Secretary (films), Ms. Anjali Duggal.
Those who signed on behalf of the film industry included Mr. Yash Chopra, Mr. Yash Johar, and Mr. Amit Khanna, while the cable operators were represented by Mr. R. T. Hingorani, the Cable Operators Federation of India president, Mr. Roop Sharma, and the All India Aavishkar Dish Antenna Sangh president, Mr. A.K. Rastogi.
It was agreed that no film should be examined without a valid licence from the copyright holder. The Multi-Satellite Channel Operators (MSOs) will not show any film on any cable television or satellite channel for one year after its release, except when permitted by the copyright owner. Hence, no film producer would now be pressurised to part with cable rights of the film for one year after its release.
Ms. Swaraj later told UNI that the agreement was welcome, particularly, because all the steps taken by the Government in the wake of recognition of cinema as an industry came to naught because of piracy. She expressed the hope that the operators would abide by it, as it would go a long way in helping the film industry rejuvenate itself.
- UNI
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