Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha has called for urgent government action to combat digital piracy, which he claims is causing annual losses of ₹20,000 crore to the film industry. Chadha’s appeal came during his speech in the Rajya Sabha, where he highlighted the detrimental impact of online piracy on the creative sector.
Chadha pointed out that the creative efforts of artists are being undermined by the rampant piracy, which has seen a significant rise, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Chadha, online piracy surged by 62% during the pandemic, further stressing the need for a robust response from authorities.
In his statement, Chadha emphasized the severe financial implications of piracy on the industry, stating, “Years of hard work of an artist goes down the drain because of piracy. The industry is facing losses amounting to ₹20,000 crores per annum due to piracy.”
The AAP leader also criticized the current legislative measures, specifically the Cinematographic (Amendment) Bill, which he argues lacks a comprehensive approach to digital piracy. While the bill addresses issues like anti-cam recording in multiplexes, it does not adequately tackle the challenges posed by piracy on streaming platforms.
Chadha’s remarks underscore a growing concern within the industry about the effectiveness of existing laws in addressing the rapid proliferation of pirated content online. He called for the introduction of dedicated legislation to address the specific challenges of digital piracy and protect the economic interests of the creative industry.
Sources By Agencies