In a move to curb piracy at the grassroots level, multiplex owners of India

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along with Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA) has come up with ‘anti-camcord training sessions’ for theatre employees. Camcording is recording of the original movie print from the theatre using a portable camera.

PVR, Big Cinemas, Fame Adlabs and Fun Republic are among the film exhibitors participating in the initiative. The training programme aims to create awareness among the multiplex staff about how films are pirated, the gadgets used and how to look out for such elements in the theatre. “All piracy starts with camcording. Camcorded versions are of good quality,” said Dan Glickman, chairman and CEO, MPAA.

India does not have any legislation for camcording, but the industry resorts to intellectual property rights clauses in this matter. “People need to be made aware that it is a crime as serious as theft. A lot of Hollywood movies do not release here because there is not much revenue due to piracy,” said Tushar Dhingra, CEO, Big Cinemas.

India contributes 8-10 per cent of the overall revenues of Hollywood films. The association has partnered with India to spread this initiative as India figures high in the list of countries with widespread video piracy and it is also the largest film producing country.