In a bid to check film piracy and curb the release of pirated version of films on internet causing huge revenue losses to the film industry, the government on Tuesday proposed the introduction of Cinematograph Act (Amendment) Bill for inclusion of a new sub-section of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

According to the proposed amendment Bill, any piracy act, “shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding three years and shall also be liable to fine not exceeding Rs 10 lakhs, or to a term of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.”

The proposed Bill holds individual liable of violation if found making audio/video copies “during the exhibition of an audiovisual work, cinematographic in an exhibition facility used to exhibit cinematograph films or audiovisual recordings and without the written authorization of the copyright owner,” the government release said.