**Executive Summary**
The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, strengthens anti-piracy laws by establishing strict penalties for unauthorized film recording and transmission. Recent enforcement actions include the notification of 3,142 Telegram channels and the blocking of 800 websites to curb digital piracy. An institutional mechanism involving designated Nodal Officers has been established to receive and act upon piracy complaints from copyright holders.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Legal Provisions and Penalties**
* Sections 6AA and 6AB of the Cinematograph Act prohibit the unauthorized recording and transmission of films.
* Violations under Section 7(1A) carry a minimum punishment of 3 months imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 3 lakh.
* Maximum penalties can extend to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of up to 5% of the audited gross production cost of the film.
**Enforcement Actions**
* On March 11, 2026, the Telegram app was notified under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to remove 3,142 channels violating the Copyright Act, 1957.
* Access to approximately 800 websites hosting pirated content has been disabled through Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
* The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) utilizes Nodal Officers to issue notifications to intermediaries to disable access to identified infringing links.
**Intermediary Obligations**
* Under the IT Rules 2021, intermediaries must promptly remove pirated content when notified by the government or through court orders.
* Rule 3(1)(b) mandates that intermediaries make "reasonable efforts" to ensure their platforms are not used to host, display, or share information that infringes on patents, trademarks, or copyrights.
* Intermediaries are required to disable access to unlawful content as soon as it is brought to their knowledge by an authorized agency.
**Complaint Mechanism**
* An institutional mechanism was established via a Public Notice dated November 3, 2023.
* Original copyright holders, authorized representatives, or individuals can submit complaints regarding pirated copies of films on the internet in a prescribed format.
**Impact Analysis**
**Content Owners, Producers, and OTT Platforms**
**Impact**
These stakeholders receive enhanced legal protection for their intellectual property and a streamlined process for reporting digital piracy.
**Action Required**
Submit complaints regarding infringing copies of films to designated Nodal Officers using the prescribed format issued on November 3, 2023.
**Intermediaries (Social Media and Messaging Platforms)**
**Impact**
Intermediaries are legally obligated under the IT Rules 2021 to monitor and remove infringing content or face regulatory consequences.
**Action Required**
Must remove or disable access to pirated content upon notification and ensure reasonable efforts are made to prevent the hosting of copyright-infringing material.
**Internet Service Providers (ISPs)**
**Impact**
ISPs serve as the technical enforcement arm for blocking access to unauthorized websites.
**Action Required**
Disable access to websites identified by the government as hosting pirated content.
**Unauthorized Recorders and Transmitters**
**Impact**
Individuals engaging in film piracy face severe criminal liability, including significant prison time and heavy financial penalties based on production costs.
**Action Required**
Cease all unauthorized recording, exhibition, or transmission of cinematograph films.
Key Entities Referenced
Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023: The primary legislation that strengthens the legal framework against film piracy by prohibiting unauthorized recording and transmission with strict penal provisions.
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: A set of rules that mandates digital intermediaries to promptly remove pirated content and prevents platforms from hosting copyright-infringing information.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The primary ministry that established the institutional mechanism and designated Nodal Officers to receive piracy complaints and issue notifications to intermediaries.
Information Technology Act, 2000: The parent act under which Section 79(3)(b) enables the government to notify intermediaries to disable access to unlawful pirated content.
Copyright Act, 1957: The foundational law defining ownership and infringement, whose violations regarding film content trigger the enforcement actions described.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023
Strengthens Anti-Piracy Laws with Strict
Penalties for Unauthorized Recording and
Transmission
Government Cracks Down on Film Piracy: 3,142 Telegram
Channels Notified, 800 Websites Blocked
Robust Legal Framework in Place: IT Rules 2021 Mandate
Intermediaries to Remove Pirated Content Promptly
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 6:11PM by PIB Delhi
Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 has strengthened the legal framework to deter film piracy.
Section 6AA and 6AB of Cinematograph Act prohibit unauthorized recording and transmission of films.
Section 7 (1A) provides that if any person contravenes the provisions of Section 6AA or Section 6AB,
they shall be punishable with a minimum 3 months imprisonment and fine of Rs. 3 lakh, which can be
extended up to 3 years imprisonment and fine up to 5% of the audited gross production cost. Further,
Section 7(1B) (ii) enables the Government to notify the intermediaries hosting pirated content under
Section 79(3) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Anti-piracy action
In accordance with the above-mentioned provisions of law,
Intermediary Telegram App was notified under Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000 on 11.03.2026 to remove
and disable access to the 3,142 Channels publishing content owned by or licensed to certain content
owners, OTT platforms and producers without authorization in violation of the Copyright Act, 1957.
Access to approximately 800 websites hosting pirated content has been disabled through Internet Service
Providers (ISPs).
Ministry of I&B has also established an institutional mechanism through designated Nodal Officers to
receive complaints, in the prescribed format issued vide Public Notice dated 03.11.2023. Such
complaints may be submitted by original copyright holders of cinematograph films, persons authorized
by them, or any other individual regarding the exhibition of pirated or infringing copies of films on the
Internet. Upon receipt, notifications are issued to intermediaries for disabling access to the identified
links.
Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000 provides for notification by appropriate Government of unlawful act or
content to the intermediaries for removing/disabling access to such content. Intermediaries are required
to remove any content violative of any law for the time being in force as and when brought to theirknowledge either through a court order or through a notice by appropriate government or its authorized
agency.
The Government of India has notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital
Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules 2021) under IT Act, 2000. Part-II of the IT Rules, 2021
relating to intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, inter-alia casts specific obligations on
intermediaries relating to information hosted, displayed, uploaded, published, transmitted, stored or
shared on their platforms.
Rule 3(1)(b) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code)
Rules provides that the intermediaries should make reasonable efforts by itself. They should not allow
their computer resource to be used to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or
share any information that infringes any patent, trademark, copyright or other proprietary rights.
This Information was submitted by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L.
Murugan in the Rajya Sabha today in response of questions asked by Shri Parimal Nathwani.
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Mahesh Kumar/ Aparajita Priyadarshini
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