The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR to meet film industry representatives today

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Friday, Mar 25, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR to meet film industry representatives today

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, MARCH 24. The Chief Minister, Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, has convened a meeting with representatives of the Telugu film industry on March 25, the Tourism Minister, J.Geeta Reddy, told the Assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to the debate on the bill to amend the Andhra Pradesh Exhibition of Films on television screen through Video Cassette Recorders (Regulation) Act, 1993, she said the Government is determined to protect the interests of the film industry. The bill, which was later passed, is aimed at effective implementation of the law/rules to curb video piracy.

Modelled on TN ordinance

The bill provides for grant of licences to video libraries, regulation of exhibition of films on TV screen through VCRs and production on demand of the letter of consent from the copyright owner of the cinematograph film or his assignee. It is modelled on the lines of the ordinance promulgated by the Tamil Nadu Government. The bill incorporates in the ordinance "cable operator, VCD and DVD."

While the Telugu Desam, TRS and CPI welcomed the bill, the CPI (M) floor leader, N. Narasimhaiah, wanted the Government to refer it to a select committee, and hold discussions with all parties and representatives of the film industry.

He disputed the Government contention that the industry was in a crisis on account of video piracy, saying that its contribution was only 30 per cent. He called for steps to regulate the VCD trade.

G. Kishan Reddy (BJP) wanted setting up of an anti-video piracy vigilance cell on the lines of one in TN and Kerala, while Srinivas Rao (TRS) sought steps to regulate the film industry.

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