The broadcasting industry faces its unique set up problems of piracy and copyright infringement arising out of unauthorised relay of signals, which is distinct from counterfeiting in the traditional sense. Since the government data is limited to production and consumption of equipment, and not signals, it is difficult to assess the size of illicit market here.

This study calls for redefine loosely defined ‘piracy’ in the context of broadcasting, stringent KYC norms for purchase of set-top boxes or obtaining cable connections, standardisation of norms for equipment, periodic reporting by distributors to regulators, increased civil and criminal sanctions for crimes related to intellectual property infringement etc. to check growth of illicit market. For further details please view our report…