The Hindu : Kerala News : Pirated CDs make a comeback

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 02, 2007
ePaper

Kerala

Kerala

Pirated CDs make a comeback

Pirated CDs have flooded the market in Kochi as demand for the latest Malayalam films soars.

Ramachandran, a marketing professional in the city, says: “I was offered pirated versions of films such as ‘Hello’ on the Chennai mail last week. The CD seller told me that sales had rocketed due to the lack of patrolling by monitori ng agencies.”

Sale of pirated CDs is active in rural centres with many shifting their business following the raids conducted by IG Rishi Raj Singh a few months ago. Traders have accepted the ‘decentralised’ system of sales with CDs unavailable through open counters. Youngsters are given the charge of widening the distribution network in various centres. Latest movies are made available through the network on demand.

Alarmed by the menace of video piracy, the Film Chamber of Commerce has decided to approach the Government and seek immediate steps to curb piracy.

The anti-piracy raid launched months ago seems to have slowed down prompting pirated CDs to make a comeback in the market. A pirated version is sold between Rs.50 and Rs.75 in the market.

Exhibitors say collections will plummet and box-office returns that had gone up after the anti-piracy drive will be affected in the wake of pirated CDs making the rounds in the city.

Producers continue to remain in the dark even as sales of pirated CDs have rocketed during the past one month. Milan Jaleel, president of the State Film Producers Association, says piracy has received a boost after the raids by the anti-piracy wing came to a halt recently.

G. Krishnakumar

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala