Are Downloading Movies Illegal in India?

Well… as a movie lover, I always want to be the first on watching films after their releases.

Sometimes going to the theatre, sometimes on personal devices like smartphones or PC, it is obvious to be tensed after some rumor or humor getting virally related to film producers like Dishoom, Great Grand Masti, etc are taking steps against piracy and all.

So in such situation, one question that is wondering around all movie lover is that, whether downloading movies in India illegal or not?

If you want a direct “YES/NO” type answer, then it is impossible to say whether downloading movies is illegal or not.

For that reason, you have to go through the whole article which will help you to understand the whole issue and its outcome.

What has happened?

According to the Law, if anyone tries to sell, share publicly, or publish any copyright-protected contents without permission of the owner is a crime. Because it made the producers face losses commercially.

In recent past, Indian films like Udta Punjab, Great Grand Masti, Dhisoom, etc. was uploaded on certain sites before their releases affecting the business of the films which have bound the producers to face great losses. And the producers of the films have reported complains to block the sites which have provided the pirated copies online to download or to watch them by streaming.

Hence the issue comes up to the Bombay High Court to hear and take some decisions against Piracy.

What are the decisions taken by the Bombay High Court?

After the long struggles made the by the producers, the Bombay High Court has said that viewing online contents by the users is not a crime because they watch the content because of its availability on the internet and most of the viewers are innocent about the facts.

But the Bombay High Court has suggested the Internet Service Providers point out the sites and the pirated copies and input a message for the viewer’s written as on timesofindia “This URL has been blocked under the instructions of the competent government authority or in compliance with the orders of a court of competent jurisdiction. Viewing, downloading, exhibiting or duplicating an illicit copy of the contents of this URL is punishable as an offence under the laws of India, including but not limited to under Sections 63, 63-A, 65 and 65-A of the Copyright Act, 1957 which prescribe imprisonment for 3 years and also fine of up to Rs 3 lakh. Any person aggrieved by any such blocking of this URL may contact a nodal officer within 48 hours… for redressal” Or something that clarifies the matter to the viewers. And the order is applicable from 2016.

Now browsing or downloading or streaming contents or sites with the warning mentioned above is a punishable offense.

What to do now?

Movie lovers should not be worried about because there are many legal options available to watch your favorite movies online by streaming with permissions from the authority. But it would need a subscription fee. There are many online movie streaming sites available like the Amazon, Youtube, Hotstar, Voot, etc. which provides premium services for their viewers to watch movies online.

It is safe and secure to use such sites/apps with authorization from the producers of the films for watching online movies. However there are also free online Hindi movie sites, but you need to figure out and act accordingly.

Final Words

Now you all know about the whole issue and the outcome of it. So there is nothing to worry about in case of browsing/ streaming/ downloading contents from online sites. just you need to be a little careful about those online sites those contains the “Warning Message”, that’s it.

Use the premium service providers like the Amazon, Youtube, Hotstar, Voot, etc. for watching your favorite films, even with the best picture and sound quality, not like the pirated ones. And the subscription fees are also affordable. Thank you.