Summary
President Barack Obama's second visit to India underscored the growing partnership between India and the US, with a focus on digital era challenges. Online piracy, especially of movies, emerged as a major concern, with India being listed among the top ten countries for this issue by the Motion Picture Association. The matter was raised by Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger during the India-US CEO Forum, prompting Indian leaders to agree on the need for stronger legal action despite existing laws. Further discussions included cooperation in intellectual property matters, renewable energy, smart cities, and healthcare. The post provides an objective analysis of the current state and responses to online piracy in India.
Background
President Barack Obama’s second visit to India — making him the first serving US President to visit India twice while in office — underscored the strategic partnership between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi observed that the partnership assumes particular relevance in the digital age.
Online Piracy as a Policy Concern
A recurring concern for the entertainment industry in the digital era is online movie piracy. The Motion Picture Association (MPA), in its latest report on movie piracy, listed India among the top ten countries where online piracy is most prevalent. While the total market share of Hollywood films in India stands at approximately 10% of the domestic box office, India’s growing viewership for Hollywood films and television programmes makes it an important market for US content producers.
Against this backdrop, issues relating to intellectual property rights — including the piracy of films and software — were raised during the India-US CEO Forum held in New Delhi, attended by President Obama and Prime Minister Modi.
Discussions at the India-US CEO Forum
The issue of film piracy was raised at the forum by Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley described online piracy as a matter of great concern requiring urgent attention. Prime Minister Modi acknowledged that piracy exists in both software and films and affirmed that it must be addressed through strong legal action.
Although the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Indian Penal Code contain provisions addressing software and movie piracy, their enforcement has not yet proved fully effective.
Additional IPR-related matters discussed at the forum included increasing cooperation and collaboration between India and the United States in the areas of renewable energy, smart cities, and healthcare.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified attorney before acting on any matter discussed here.