Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha has called for urgent governmental action against the rampant issue of piracy on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, highlighting its significant financial toll on the film industry.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Chadha revealed that piracy leads to annual losses estimated at Rs 20,000 crores, severely undermining the hard work of artists.
"Years of hard work of an artist goes down the drain because of piracy," Chadha stated. He emphasized that the creative efforts of artists and the economic sustainability of the film industry are being compromised due to this pervasive problem.
Chadha's remarks come in light of growing concerns over the increase in online piracy, which surged by 62% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise of streaming services has only exacerbated the issue, making it more critical than ever to address.
In a tweet, Chadha underscored the severity of the situation, noting that piracy has become a significant threat not only in the traditional film industry but also in the OTT sector. He criticized the Cinematographic (Amendment) Bill passed last year for its lack of a concrete mechanism to combat digital piracy effectively.
Chadha argued that the existing legislation is insufficient to tackle the evolving challenges posed by digital piracy. He urged the government to introduce dedicated legislation aimed at addressing this issue comprehensively and protecting the interests of artists and the industry's economic viability.