The Union Cabinet has approved the Cinematograph Amendment Bill 2019. The amendment bill aims to amend the Cinematograph Amendment act 1952. The features of the amendment bill are:

• The amendment bill makes film piracy offences punishable with imprisonment up to three years and fines that may extend to 10 lakh or both.
• The amendment states that any person, who without the written authorisation of the copyright owner, uses any recording device to make or transmit a copy of a film, or attempts to do so, or abet the making or transmission of such a copy, will be liable for such a punishment.
• Section 7 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 deals with who can watch and exhibit which films and penalties for violating terms and conditions related to the exhibition of board-certified films.
• The amendment bill adds a new subsection (4) to section 7 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 with the definition of piracy and the penal provisions for the same.

The Cinematograph Amendment Bill, 2019 aims to tackle film piracy by including the penal provisions for unauthorised camcording and duplication of films. The bill when passed will build a credible deterrence which would increase industry revenues, boost job creation, fulfil important objectives of India’s National Intellectual Property policy and will give relief against piracy and infringing content online.