Fake cos to face music of govt crackdown

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked states to share all information related to music and film piracy as efforts to curb the menace by ground-level law enforcement authorities “is not reflected in a consolidated manner.

In a letter to all chief secretaries, I&B secretary Navin B Chawla has asked the states to direct all district magistrates and superintendents of police to include anti-piracy activities and data on goods seized and raids conducted in a monthly activity report to the chief secretaries.

According to Mr Chawla, the I&B ministry has been receiving several representations from the industry on loss of revenue due to piracy. While the Centre had already initiated several measures to combat piracy, the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 provided ample safeguards against violation.

Yet, the effectiveness of the law lies in its enforcement which falls within the purview of the state governments, Mr Chawla pointed out in his letter.

If a regular update — say quarterly — was given and all information collated at a single place, it would enable both the states and the Centre to review the action and provide pointers for fresh initiatives, Mr Chawla said.

The move comes in the wake of a series of meetings held in the I&B ministry with representatives from HRD, revenue department, department of information technology and home.

The NDA government had initiated work on an optical disc law which is being pursued by this government as well.

Under such a legislation, it would become mandatory for VCD/DVD manufacturers to add a unique identification number on original products.

Simultaneously, several public awareness seminars are being organised by industry bodies as well as the Indian Institute of Mass Communication on the subject.