India has upped the ante against would-be movie pirates, by increasing the penalties.
In late July, India’s Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan told Parliament that “The amendments include strict punishment of a minimum three months imprisonment and fine of Rs three lakh, which can be extended up to three years imprisonment and fine up to five per cent of the audited gross production cost.” Three Lakh is equivalent to Rs300,000 or about US$3,400, making it a stiff penalty there.
According to a Government news release, Section 6AA and 6AB of India’s Cinematograph Act prohibit unauthorized recording and transmission of films. The newly added Section 7(1B)(ii) of the Cinematograph Act empowers the Government to issue necessary directions to intermediaries for hosting pirated content.
A 2024 report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and EY (Ernst & Young), India, underscored the gravity of the piracy situation in India.
Managing multiple subscriptions, lack of availability for desired content online and high subscription fees emerged as the top three reasons for viewers to indulge in pirated content.
Further reading
Government strengthens measures to curb digital piracy in film industry. Press release. July 25, 2025. Press Information Bureau. Government of India
Section 6 in The Cinematograph Act, 1952. Accessed August 5, 2025. Government regulation. Union of India. Hosted by Indiankanoon.org.
Section 7 in The Cinematograph Act, 1952. Accessed August 5, 2025. Government regulation. Union of India. Hosted by Indiankanoon.org.
Report: India’s piracy economy in 2023 was INR224 billion (US$2.5B), say EY & IAMAI. Article. October 25, 2024. by Steven Hawley. Piracy Monitor
Why it matters
According to research by Ernst & Young and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the size of India’s piracy economy was INR224 billion (about USD 2.5 billion) in 2023. Any measure to disincent piracy by increasing the penalties is welcome there.
