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Anti Piracy in the News
All set for war against piracyThe Hindu
MONDAY, 15 JULY, 2002
:
Bollywood is ready to wage a war.
The big names of the industry have now rolled up their
sleeves to fight a battle against piracy. At stake is the very
survival of this dream industry.
The Indian film industry
loses Rs. 1,700 crores annually, due to piracy. Employing over
six million people and with a turnover of about Rs. 60 billion,
the Indian film industry is the largest in the world.
To get the Government
involved in this fight, a three-member delegation, comprising
the member of Parliament, Shabana Azmi, the president of Motion
Pictures and Producers’ Association (IMPPA), Smita Thackeray,
and the all-india counsel for the Motion Picture
Association-International (MPA-I), Chander Lall, met the Deputy
Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, here today.
While the campaign launched
by the IMPPA has reduced cable piracy by about 50 per cent, the
main thrust now is against illegal video compact units, “DVDs
and VCDs of new films reach video libraries the next day. It is
important that they should have licenses to keep the films,
otherwise the result in enormous loss of revenue, “Said Ms.
Thackeray.
“The Government should look
into factories producing VCDs and see that they have legitimate
software to make VCDs. I believe that there are two operating
units, which are allegedly responsible for at least 90 per cent
of piracy. The Centre cannot say this is a State subject and
ignore it. It needs to emphasise the copyright law, which is one
of the best in the world but is not implemented,” stated Ms.
Azmi.
“Piracy eats into your
theatrical business on day one, because while the film is being
shown in theatres it is also available at video parlours and on
the cable so the producer has only about three weeks to make
money which he dosen’t manage to do.” Added Chander Lall.
It was also suggested that a
special anti piracy cell should be set up. “The police already
have so much on their plate and piracy is then just another
problem for them to handle. Piracy is crippling us. We have to
take necessary steps to control it,” emphasized Ms. Azmi.
The delegation also submitted
a memorandum singed by almost 150 well-know film personalities,
producers and directors, including veteran actors like Anupam
Kher, Waheeda Rehman, Shyam Benegal, Raveena Tandon, Aamir Khan,
Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar and Yash Chopra. “We have to keep the pressure up on the Government. Meanwhile, we are thinking of leading a demonstration to appeal to the public not to buy pirated VCDs. How are we excepted to compete if our legs are cut off” asked Ms. Azmi.
Shabana Seeks Help
On Video Piracy
The Times of India
TUESDAY, 16 JULY,
2002
:
A film industry delegation, led by Rajya Sabha member Shabana
Azmi, met Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani on Monday and sought
Central intervention to curb video piracy which they said caused
losses in excess of Rs 1700 crore to the industry and the
government exchequer. During the half-an-hour long meeting, Azmi, along with Smitha Thackeray, president of Indian Motion Pictures and Producers’ Association and Chander Lall, All India Counsel for the Motion Picture Association of America demanded, among other things, creation of special task force and allocation of special funds in all states to check video piracy. She urged Advani to direct all states to ensure stricter implementation of the Copyright Act and order an investigation into the menace.
90% Pirated VCDs
come from outside
The Times of India
TUESDAY, 16 JULY,
2002 :
About 90 per cent of the pirated video compact discs (VCDs) of
films in the city come from illegal units based in neighbouring
states.
A unit each in Kondli, near Harayana and Bhiwadi in Rajasthan
are allegedly being run under the patronage of influential
people. Illegal units in Gorakhpur and Tanakpur, near Nepal
border, are also suspected to be supplying pirated VCDs in the
city.
“Action against bigwigs would definitely send a stern message to
small operators in the city,” said T.P. Singh, who represents a
private firm fighting piracy on behalf of film makers.
“Each plant in Haryana and Bhiwadi is believed to cost Rs 3
crore. They hardly seem to have any legitimate software to
justify such a huge investment. “A majority of their revenue is
suspected to be generated through piracy,” She said.
Azmi along with
representatives of the Motion Pictures and Producers’
Association presented a memorandum to union home minister L.K.
Advani on Monday, urging him to inquire into activities of the
units in the neighboring states.
Deputy commissioner of police, economic offence wing, Dinesh
Bhatt said the illegal units were a major cause for concern.
“Our job becomes difficult because, on many occasions, pirated
VCDs produced by these units don’t even reach city markets,
where we can try to seize them. The pirated compact discs are
directly delivered to customers,” he said.
Bhatt said shopkeepers in Palika Bazar, Lajpat Rai market and
Nehru Place appeared to be in league with these units and were
using shops for taking orders from customers seeking pirated
VCDs.
“Even if we raid these markets, we do not find any pirated VCDs,”
he said.
Several seizure of pirated VCD had hinted toward a supply line
originating from illegal units in the neighboring units, said
the police.
“These units are producing optical discs and distributing them
in several states. Almost all small-time shopkeepers in the city
were using discs produced by these units,” said and
investigator. |
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 INFORM
US |
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To provide information on
film piracy of Hollywood films & Hindi Films from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai & Bangalore to report
film piracy by Cable Operators, Retailers, Video Libraries etc. Your Complaints shall be registered. Investigations based on your complaints shall be conducted immediately. |
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| ANTI
PIRACY NEWS |
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MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION |
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DVD / CDR Rewards Program |
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If you have information which can lead to a successful raid on a pirate DVD / CDR plant you could get a heavy cash reward.
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