Taking cognisance of the growing economic losses and enforcement challenges arising from digital piracy across films, television, and OTT platforms, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has initiated a comprehensive review to strengthen India’s anti-piracy framework.

The ministry aims to address the issue through collective engagement with stakeholders from various segments of the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry, including film producers, streaming platforms, broadcasters, telecom operators, and enforcement agencies.

According to a public notice issued by the Ministry, the move comes amid increasing concerns from the industry over the rapid rise of online piracy, which continues to inflict heavy losses on content creators and disrupt legitimate revenue channels. The ministry has sought detailed inputs and on-ground experiences from stakeholders to identify current challenges and explore effective strategies to counter content theft in the digital ecosystem.

The notice specifically calls for feedback on several key areas — including the existing difficulties in identifying and removing pirated content, technological or procedural gaps in enforcement, and measures to improve proactive monitoring and takedown systems. The Ministry has also invited suggestions on global best practices that could be adapted to the Indian context and ways to enhance coordination among platforms, government agencies, and rights holders.

Officials at the I&B Ministry stated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise India’s anti-piracy measures and bring them in line with international standards. The aim is to develop a cohesive and technology-driven framework that not only protects creative IP but also ensures that enforcement agencies and digital intermediaries work in close cooperation.

Digital piracy has emerged as a major challenge for India’s media and entertainment sector, with illegal streaming sites and unauthorised uploads continuing to undermine legitimate distribution models. Industry experts estimate that the sector loses thousands of crores annually due to piracy, impacting not just large studios but also small creators and regional content producers.

The Ministry’s proactive step is being seen as a welcome move towards collaborative policy-making. By inviting participation from all stakeholders, the government hopes to create a unified, industry-backed anti-piracy roadmap that safeguards intellectual property, supports fair monetisation, and ensures accountability across digital platforms.