Bring YouTube, Netflix under Cinematograph Act: PIL

Bengaluru: Expressing concern over unrestricted broadcasting of films, serials, and other multimedia content through Internet (OTT - Over-The-Top services or the online content streaming), a Bengaluru resident has filed a PIL against it in the high court.

The PIL was filed by Padmanabh Shankar, a businessman. He sought directions from the court to declare that such broadcasts should come under the purview of Sec 2(c) of Cinematography Act 1952, along with other prayers.

Hearing the petition, the high court on Tuesday ordered issue of notice to central government's Ministry of Information and Broad—casting, it's state government's wing, Netflix Entertainment Services, YouTube, Hotstar India, Amazon Prime, and All Digital Media Entertainment Ltd.

The PIL also states that watching such broadcasts within four walls at home, office and others places would amount to public exhibition under the Cinematography Act.

“Internet has invaded the homes of India and is now accessible as a medium of entertainment and communication to carry content and is available on television, smart devices such as computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones and so on. Insofar as Internet is concerned, it is regulated by the Information Technology Act 2000,” the petition stated.

It further prays the court to direct central government to come out with an appropriate legislation to set up a suitable board or authority to sanction the broadcast of films, serials, multimedia content via Internet.

In addition, Central Board of Film Certification constituted under Cinematography Act should be directed to certify all the content broadcasted through such medium, it added.