Rajya Sabha passes Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023
According to the I&B minister Anurag Thakur, it is a revolutionary initiative that is going to make a difference in the lives of everyone associated with the industry
The Rajya Sabha passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023 on July 27 which aims to curb piracy and additionally, streamline age bracket categorisation of content.
The bill specifies that ‘UA’ marker means an age-based indicator for a film which has received or is intended to receive a ’UA’ certificate. This marker will now be categorised under three different age groups, namely, ‘UA 7+’ or ‘UA 13+’ or ‘UA 16+’.
The bill also says no person shall use any audio-visual recording device in a place licensed to exhibit films intending to make or transmit an infringing copy of such film.
If a person does so, it will be considered a punishable offence with imprisonment for three months to three years and a fine of three lakh rupees, but may extend to five per cent of the audited gross production cost.
Anurag Thakur, cabinet minister, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, wrote in a tweet, “To ensure the holistic growth of Indian cinema and safeguard the rights of everyone in the industry from the spot boy to technicians to filmmakers, under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble PM, I got the opportunity to introduce The Cinematograph (Amendment Bill) 2023 in the Rajya Sabha. It is the first major amendment since 1984.”
“The bill aims at fighting piracy, which is eating up our ever-growing film industry, which has captured the imagination of the world with its content and creativity. It aims to streamline the certification process and improve categorisation and prevent unauthorised recording, copying and transmission on the internet,” he added.
According to the minister, it is a revolutionary initiative that is going to make a difference in the lives of everyone associated with the industry and help in the growth of our soft power globally.
