Govt mulling blocking websites transmitting pirated content: Official

The government is mulling blocking websites transmitting pirated content, Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra said on Thursday.

Stressing that the government is serious about curbing piracy, Chandra said it has already proposed to make filming of content for piracy as an offence, and is now looking to add another provision on transmitting such pirated content.

"… now, we want to add another provision where transmission of… (pirated) content on the internet also we want to make (it as) an offence.

"So, if that happens, it will go a long way in protecting copyright as we will be able to block those websites where such content is being transmitted," he said while speaking at an industry event here.

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He said the changes will be proposed in the Cinematograph Act, where the government is proposing some amendments.

The amended draft will be introduced in Parliament "very soon" to be passed and made into a law, he added.

He also urged the industry to be "more cognizant" of the concerns surrounding the culture of this country while creating OTT content if it does not want the government to come after it.

Over 99 per cent of the content is such that it does not need a change in regulations but sometimes there is some content which needs to be avoided, he said.

Chandra also said that at present, there is a three-tiered system built on self regulation for OTT (Over The Top) platforms which is working better and there are only three to four complaints which the government has received.

Amid the accolades won by the song Natu Natu, including the coveted Oscars, Chandra said India has always been producing such songs, but it is the advent of OTT streaming and video translation into multiple languages which are helping the industry now.

"RRR… has caught the world's attention but we have been producing such songs for years and years. Our culture is steeped in song and dance. So, I think OTT has helped it in a big way," he said.

Another factor which is working for Indian content to win awards is the economic progress in the country which makes people curious to understand more.

In the wake of some frequencies being transferred from broadcasting and being devoted to telecom, Chandra said frequencies meant for broadcasting will continue to be used for the purpose and blamed the latest decision on lower patronage for terrestrial broadcasting.

Some frequencies were devoted to telecom because Prasar Bharti has closed down or is in the process of closing down most of its terrestrial broadcasting, he said.

The government is thinking of revamping and aligning National Film Development Corporation's film facilitation office portal with the same of states, he said.

An incentive amount of Rs 1 crore has been paid to a global film project to be shot in the country, and the government has at least six more similar proposals, he said.