Copyright, Streaming Platforms And Competition Law: The Anti- Competitive Effects Of Exclusive Content Licensing
Rijul Goel, LL.M. (Master of Law), Amity Law School, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
ABSTRACT
The delivery and consumption of movies, music, sports and other digital material have changed dramatically as a result of the quick growth of OTT streaming services. Exclusive Content Licensing has been a key business tactic for drawing customers, bolstering market position and distinguishing platforms in the fiercely competitive streaming industry. Although exclusivity is a valid result of copyright safeguarding and can encourage investment, innovation and creativity its widespread or deliberate usage may also give rise to issues under competition law. With special reference to the Competition Act of 2002 and the Copyright Act of 1957, this particular study tries to find the intersection and explores relationship between copyright protection and competition law in the context of streaming platforms’ exclusive content licensing. It tries to examine the potential effects of exclusive licensing on consumer choice and welfare and competitor costs, entry obstacles, market foreclosure and strategic content acquisition.
Keywords: Exclusive Content Licensing, streaming Platforms, Competition Law, Copyright Law, Entertainment Industry.
