The Piracy Nightmare on Movies

2016 is turning out to be a terrible year for filmmakers. Piracy is affecting the industry globally and is spreading like wildfire. According to some estimates, the Indian industry too is bleeding as much as to $2.7 billion annually. There is no doubt that piracy has eaten into the business of cinema. This year, it has affected films even before their release. There were widespread allegations that the piracy of films like Udta Punjab, which found their way to torrent sites ahead of their theatrical releases, were actually the handiwork of some in the censor board. The films most affected by piracy this year are Udta Punjab, Great Grand Masti and Sultan in Hindi, and 24 and Kabali in Tamil. In the case of Udta Punjab and Great Grand Masti, the piracy affected the film even before its release!

Meanwhile, 24 and Kabali’s leaks are said to have taken place after the first day first show of the film. A large number of individuals based in Bengaluru and parts of Tamil Nadu, seem to be indulging in piracy using smartphones or camcorders or even E-projectors to record from theaters in small towns. According to a recent survey carried out by the anti-piracy cell, pirated movies in India are today seen more “on the move, in trains and planes, on smartphones and laptops”. Now, how can this issue be tackled effectively? The youth, who are the main consumers of cinema, need to be educated about its ill-effects through knowledge sharing. A statutory warning (like anti-smoking warnings) should be attached to all films too. The proposed law that viewing, downloading, exhibiting or duplicating an illicit copy of copyrighted content on a blocked site could attract a three-year prison term and a fine up to Rs.3 lakh, could become a deterrent for perpetrators. Unless the Tamil film industry unites in its fight, the future of the cinema business looks bleak.

Image Source:- http://www.hindustantimes.com