Rajya Sabha passes Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023, targeting film piracy and certification reforms
On July 27, 2023, the Rajya Sabha took a significant step in the battle against film piracy and introduced reforms in movie certification with the passage of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The amended bill aims to curb the unauthorised recording and exhibition of films, which have been causing substantial losses to the film industry. One of the key provisions of the bill is the crackdown on film piracy. Those involved in making pirated copies of movies could now face severe penalties, including a three-year jail term and a fine of up to 5% of the movie's production cost. This stern measure is expected to serve as a deterrent against the illegal reproduction and distribution of copyrighted content. The bill also brings notable changes in how movies are certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). It introduces three certifications under the 'UA' category: UA 7+, UA 13+, and UA 16+. This means that movies with such certifications can be viewed by