Tollywood
Telangana theatres to screen anti piracy disclaimer before films, warning audiences of jail term and financial penalties for recording movies
Cinema halls across Telangana will soon begin screening a new anti-piracy disclaimer before the start of film shows as part of efforts to curb movie piracy. The initiative has been introduced by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) in collaboration with the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC). The disclaimer warns audiences that recording films inside theatres or distributing pirated copies is a criminal offence under Indian law. According to the message that will be displayed on screens, individuals caught recording a film during a theatrical screening could face imprisonment of up to three years along with financial penalties. The fine could extend up to ₹3 lakh or up to 5 percent of the film's production cost depending on the severity of the violation. The move is part of a broader anti-piracy strategy announced by the TGCSB to address the growing issue of illegal distribution of films. As part of the initiative, authorities have also introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling digital piracy cases. The SOP outlines guidelines for registering complaints, collecting digital evidence, and coordinating with industry stakeholders to track and block pirated versions of films circulating online. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Officials have noted that piracy continues to pose a major challenge to the film industry. Large-scale leaks often originate either during the post-production stage or through camcording inside theatres during screenings, which are then circulated on piracy websites and messaging platforms within hours of a film's release. To reduce such incidents, theatres have also been advised to strengthen preventive measures. These include increased monitoring inside auditoriums to prevent camcording, retaining CCTV footage for a certain period after a film's release, and using forensic watermarking technologies that help trace the source of leaked copies. The anti-piracy disclaimer will be included in the screening package delivered to exhibitors and digital cinema service providers, ensuring that audiences across Telangana are reminded of the legal consequences of recording films in theatres before the start of every show.
