A Study On Copyright Infringement In Cinematograpgy
- IJLLR Journal
- Apr 26
- 2 min read
Akshaya R, Assistant Professor & Research Scholar, VISTAS
S.R. Varsha, BBA LLB (Hons), VISTAS
Introduction:
The film industry is a multi-billion-dollar sector in which original creative expression is essential. Nevertheless, the rights of content creators, producers, and filmmakers are threatened by the escalating prevalence of digital piracy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement. Cinematographic works are legally safeguarded by copyright law, which guarantees that their creators possess exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and adapt their content. In India, the Copyright Act, 1957 governs copyright in films, and international treaties like the TRIPS Agreement and Berne Convention bolster protection. Issues such as unauthorized remakes, digital piracy, and disputes over ownership rights continue to exist in the industry, despite the existence of these legal frameworks. The emergence of OTT platforms has also presented new obstacles, as films are unlawfully leaked on torrent websites, resulting in financial losses for production houses. Additionally, there are numerous high-profile legal disputes that have arisen as a result of the legal gray area that exists between inspiration and plagiarism. This investigation investigates the legal obstacles, landmark cases, and potential solutions to enhance copyright enforcement in the digital era, as well as the preservation of copyright in cinematography.
Indian and International Perspectives on Copyright Protection
For Cinematic Works Copyright law is essential in safeguarding cinematographic works, guaranteeing that filmmakers, producers, and creators maintain exclusive rights to their content. The Copyright Act, 1957, administers film-related copyrights in India, providing creators with economic and moral rights. Cinematographic films are protected against unauthorized reproduction, distribution, and adaptation and are considered original works, as stipulated in Section 13 of the Act. Internationally, films are safeguarded by the Berne Convention (1886), which provides automatic copyright protection in all member countries.
