The Hindu : KFCC calls for more teeth to anti-piracy law

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 04, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

KFCC calls for more teeth to anti-piracy law

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE March 3. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has claimed that it has detected the entire network of video piracy that has been causing heavy financial losses to the film industry.

The KFCC President, S.Ramesh, told presspersons here today that the chamber had requested the State Government to strengthen the anti-piracy law on the lines of the law introduced in Andhra Pradesh for checking video piracy.

The KFCC was aware of the involvement of a few people representing various sectors in the film industry such as laboratories and cinemas, and those associated with production and distribution, and small-time local politicians in the illegal trade.

The Kannada film industry alone had suffered a loss of Rs. 15 crore in a span of three months beginning January 2003, he said.

Admitting that the "B print mafia" was the nerve centre of video piracy, Mr. Ramesh said the KFCC held discussions with those running the laboratories and formulated a plan to contain the illegal activity.

A KFCC delegation had also met the Director-General of Police, T.Madiyal, and he had promised to constitute squads in all districts to check video piracy, Mr. Ramesh said.

Show timings

After holding talks with exhibitors, distributors, and producers, the KFCC had decided to change the show timings in theatres in Bangalore to avoid traffic congestion during peak hours. As per the new schedule, the morning show would begin at 11.30 a.m., matinee at 2.30 p.m., evening show at 6 p.m., and night show at 10 p.m. The new timings would come into force from April 4, Mr. Ramesh said.

On the reported plan of the Government to cut annual subsidy to the Kannada film industry, Mr. Ramesh said he had sought a minimum annual subsidy of Rs. 7.5 lakh for each Kannada film produced in that year. This would be in addition to the existing quality tag pattern. He said he had discussed the issue with the Information Minister, Kagodu Thimmappa, and urged him not to collect show tax from the coming fiscal.

New building

The KFCC building under construction would have all facilities, including a modern preview theatre. The estimated cost of the building was Rs. 3.45 crore, he said.

The KFCC would organise a month-long `Cine expo 2003' from April 3 to May 30 in Bangalore to mobilise funds to the tune of Rs. 1.50 crore, he added.

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