Do you also watch pirated movies? Find out how much punishment you can get for doing so.

Movie Piracy Rules: If you watch pirated movies for free, it is a legal offense. Under the Cinematograph Act, there are provisions for imprisonment and heavy fines. Therefore, it is important to be careful.

The way people watch movies has changed considerably these days. Now, new films are released not only in theaters but also on digital OTT platforms. Many people subscribe to these apps and also watch movies in theaters. Despite this, a large section of people resort to pirated content to watch movies for free.

People often take watching or downloading pirated movies lightly. But the law considers it a serious crime. Whether the film is running in a theater or streaming on an OTT platform, watching, downloading, or sharing it without permission is a violation of copyright law.

In India, piracy is dealt with under the Copyright Act, 1957. According to Section 63 of this law, making, downloading, or sharing an illegal copy of a film or content is a crime. The punishment can be given not only to those who run the websites but also to those who knowingly watch the pirated content.

If a person is found guilty of watching or downloading a pirated movie, they can face imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 3 years. Along with this, a fine of Rs. 5000 to Rs. 2 lakh can also be imposed. This punishment applies to the first offense.

If a person is caught repeatedly watching or distributing pirated content, the punishment can be even stricter. Upon being found guilty again, the prison term can be increased, and the fine amount also becomes higher. In many cases, the courts show no leniency.

Piracy related to OTT platforms also falls under the purview of this law. Watching a web series or film for free through Telegram links, websites, or apps is also illegal. Sometimes, users are traced through their IP addresses, so their identity cannot remain hidden.

You need to understand whether taking this risk is worth it. Is it wise to risk jail time, hefty fines, and legal troubles just to save a few rupees? It's better to either watch the movie in a theater or get a legal subscription to an OTT platform.