Bill Summary

The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019

• The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Rajya Sabha by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Rajyavardhan Rathore, on February 12, 2019. The Bill amends the Cinematograph Act, 1954.  The Act provides for certification of films for exhibition.  Further, the Act imposes penalties for various offences such as: (i) exhibition of a film that has not been certified for public exhibition, or (ii) tampering with a film after it has been certified.   
   
• Unauthorised recording: The Bill prohibits a person from using a recording device to make a copy or transmit a film, without written authorisation from the producer of the film.
   
• Persons who make copies of a film without authorisation, will be punished with imprisonment of up to three years, or fine up to Rs 10 lakh, or both.         

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