Business Desk – If you watch new movies for free on Telegram or other websites, it won’t be easy to do so in the coming days. The central government has launched a major campaign against online movie piracy. The government has ordered the blocking of approximately 5,000 Telegram channels, 1,263 websites, and a total of 7,393 URLs related to film piracy.
The government says that copies of films were being shared on these platforms without permission, due to which the film industry and OTT platforms were suffering huge financial losses.
The government gave information about the action in the Lok Sabha
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, said that the government is continuously taking strict steps to stop online film piracy.
According to the ministry, after the implementation of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, it has become easier than before to take action against illegal recording, copying and broadcasting of films on digital platforms.
Now pirated content will be removed like this
The government said that when a complaint is received from the copyright holder of a film or content, the authorised officer of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issues a notice to the concerned social media platform, website or online service.
Following this, the relevant platform is instructed to remove or block access to the pirated content under the regulations. URL blocking is also implemented if necessary.
Action taken against 5,000 Telegram channels and 1,263 websites
Orders have been issued to block a total of 7,393 URLs, including nearly 5,000 Telegram channels and 1,263 websites, which were making copies of new films and other copyrighted content available without permission.
OTT Platforms and the film industry will benefit
Film piracy costs filmmakers and OTT platforms billions of rupees in losses every year. When people watch new movies for free on pirated websites or Telegram channels, OTT platforms’ subscription revenue and advertising revenue are affected.
The government believes that curbing piracy will increase the revenue of legal platforms, allowing them to invest more in new films, web series, and original content.
Will piracy end just by blocking websites?
Experts believe that simply blocking websites or Telegram channels won’t completely eliminate film piracy. They argue that providing people with access to legal content at affordable prices, in an easy way, and in high quality is also essential. When viewers receive better services at reasonable prices, they will naturally begin to avoid pirated content.
What will change for users?
After this action of the government, accessing pirated movies available for free on Telegram and other websites may become more difficult than before.
However, this action is only against channels, websites, and URLs that infringe copyright. It will not affect ordinary Telegram users or those viewing legitimate content.