Curbing piracy technically tough

 The film chamber is expecting good monetary benefits to the producers, distributors and exhibitors following the amendment to the Goonda Act.

Amidst these high expectations, there are apprehensions whether this legal measure will avert violation of copyrights of all kinds.

Normally piracy is done at three levels - one at the laboratories where the final print of movies are processed, the second while transporting those prints to exhibition centres, and the third when the movie is being screened.

There are instances where pirates in the guise of viewers record the movie with cellphones with high-volume storing capacity. Later they transfer the file into CD format or upload to computers. With the help of internet they transfer the files to those who require the copies. It is rather easy in case of audio files. An ordinary cell phone or an i-pod can copy songs of a recent movie being played on an FM radio channel. Audio and video files can easily be transferred to any number of cellphones or audio players via bluetooth.

Film actor-cum-producer and MLA B C Patil was in a tricky situation, recently. Within a couple of days after he released the audio cassette of his latest movie Salute in Bangalore, he got feedback about the songs from his friends in the US. He was shocked as the audio sales in the market was still at zero.

“Technology has improved such that any individual can transfer audio or video files either through bluetooth or internet. But that affects producer who has invested in crores,” he said. The new amendment to the Goonda Act clearly says those violate the copyright act for commercial gain can be booked under the law. In case of those who violate the copyrights using bluetooth or internet it is difficult establish that they are involved in such acts for commercial gains.

Sales affected

Kannada Film Producers’ Association President KCN Chandrashekhar said it was difficult to track those offenders.

“We are happy that the new amendment is strong enough to create a sense of fear among those who selling pirated CDs or DVD in the public glare,” he said.

Those in the audio industry said that about 15 per cent of sales are affected due to easy mode of transferring or copying with the advent of cellphones, i-pods and internet.

Tulasiram Naidu (Velu) of Lahari Recording company said that if the cyber police wing takes the amendment seriously and implement it effectively such practices could be curbed.

 “In the US, violation of copyrights has been curbed effectively. There are no options either to copy or download files in violation of the copy rights,” Tulasiram Naidu said.
The public should discourage such practices, he added.

“A Kannada audio CD does not cost more than Rs 100. If they purchase CDs from authorised dealers, one lakh people, including employees in audio companies, singers, lyricists, technicians will be benefited. At least 5,000 people are directly involved in audio industry in the State and they can lead a happy life if the public do not encourage violation of the law,” he said.