Definition of 'Piracy'

Definition: Piracy refers to the unauthorized duplication of copyrighted

content that is then sold at substantially lower prices in the 'grey' market. The
ease of access to technology has meant that over the years, piracy has
become more rampant. For example, CD writers are available off the shelf at
very low prices, making music piracy a simple affair.

Description: Many laws have been made to prevent privacy. Internationally,

the laws for punishing piracy in developed countries are stringent and punitive
in nature. In Asian countries and more in India too, it does not get the attention
at the national level due to more engaging issues at hand. However, the
industry, especially the IT and music industry, has been taking active interest
in stemming the rot. These organizations identify sources of music piracy and
then conduct raids with the help of the police. However, convictions are few
and the penalties not harsh enough to act as a deterrent.

Piracy is done in many ways like video piracy, cable piracy, and DVD/CD
piracy. Video piracy takes place when a film is produced in the form of a
videocassette without proper authorization from the right holder i.e. the
producer. Often, film producers sell video rights to another party (generally
after six weeks or more of release in theatres), which makes video cassettes
for selling, or lending.

The videocassettes on sale are meant for home viewing only. Cable piracy
refers to unauthorised transmission of films through cable network. Very often,
films, especially the new releases, are shown through cable without
permission from the rights holder. Piracy is a rare phenomenon in satellite
channels because these are organised and generally do not show films without
buying proper rights.

Music piracy refers to the unauthorised replication of music cassettes that

flood the market as soon as the launch of a new release. Music companies'
revenues hit hard by the deluge of pirated compact discs and cassettes, as
these are available at substantially lower prices compared to that at stores.

DVD/VCD piracy of Indian films happens in the international markets. The

prints sent for overseas screening of the film are pirated, typically at any of the
Middle East country airports. DVD/VCD prints are prepared and are send to
Pakistan. From Pakistan, these prints may even travel to Nepal and enter the
country by land.