The West Bengal Assembly today passed a bill making audio and video piracy a non-bailable cognizable offence in the state, punishable with a minimum imprisonment of three years along with a fine of up to Rs one lakh.
Replying to the debate on the West Bengal Prohibition of Audio-Video Piracy Bill 2013, state law minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said that the punishment to the offenders might extend to seven years.
She said that the Bill, which was brought at the initiative of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was necessary to prohibit mushrooming of illegal trading, selling or hiring of duplicate copies of "cinematograph film and sound recording".
She said under the Bill's provision, an officer not below the rank of sub-inspector of police shall have the power to enter any land premises to search and seize duplicate copies of the "original work relating to cinematograph film and sound recording and other equipment and instruments and machinery used for the purpose of audio-video piracy".
Bhattacharya said that once the Bill became an act, the West Bengal Prohibition of Audio and Video Piracy Ordinance 2013, which was issued earlier in September this year, would stand repealed.
