The Info and Broadcasting Ministry has sought feedback from stakeholders on draft Cinematograph (Modification) Invoice, 2019 which goals to introduce age-based classification for movie certification, stricter measures to curb piracy in addition to provisions that may empower the Central authorities to direct the Central Board of Movie Certification (CBFC) to re-examine the certification of a movie.
The Ministry has sought feedback from the general public on the proposed invoice by July 2.
“The Ministry of Info and Broadcasting proposes to introduce the Cinematograph (Modification) Invoice, 2021 which is able to make the method of sanctioning of movies for exhibition simpler, in tune with the modified instances and curb the menace of piracy,” it mentioned in its discover.
Among the many modifications the Ministry has proposed the “Unrestricted Public Exhibition” certification class (often called U/A) to be additional sub-divided into age-based classes such U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+. Related age-based classification has additionally been prescribed by the Central authorities within the new IT guidelines for OTT content material.
By way of granting revisional powers to the Central authorities, the draft invoice has additionally proposed provisions that in respect of a movie licensed for public exhibition, the federal government, “might if it considers crucial to take action, direct the Chairman of the Board to re-examine the movie.”
Noting that movie piracy causes large losses to the movie business and authorities exchequer, the Ministry acknowledged that generally unlawful duplication in cinema halls is the originating level of piracy. “At current, there aren’t any enabling provisions to test movie piracy within the Cinematograph Act, 1952 making it essential to have a provision within the Act to test movie piracy,” it added.
The Ministry has proposed so as to add provisions that prohibit unauthorised recording in addition to penalties which embody jail-term which might lengthen upto three years in addition to fines.