COPYRIGHT ISSUES IN THE DIGITAL ERA: OTT PLATFORMS AND ONLINE PIRCY
AUTHOR – PRAGTI KUMARI, STUDENT AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL
BEST CITATION – PRAGTI KUMARI, COPYRIGHT ISSUES IN THE DIGITAL ERA: OTT PLATFORMS AND ONLINE PIRCY, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (13) OF 2025, PG. 400-413, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344
ABSTRACT
The swift progress of digital technology and the extensive adoption of the internet have fundamentally changed how creative content is created, shared, and consumed worldwide. The rise of Over-the-Top (OTT) services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and others has reshaped the entertainment sector by granting viewers immediate access to films, web series, music, and various forms of digital media. Nevertheless, this digital evolution has introduced new challenges to the conventional system of copyright protection. The problem of online piracy has emerged as a major issue in the digital age, as the unauthorized sharing, downloading, and streaming of copyrighted materials have become increasingly simple and prevalent. This research paper examines the escalating conflict between technological advancement and the safeguarding of intellectual property rights, with a particular emphasis on the copyright issues encountered by OTT platforms in India and globally.
In the digital landscape, copyright violations have manifested in intricate ways — ranging from illegal streaming sites and torrenting to the unauthorized recording and redistribution of OTT content. Despite the presence of robust copyright legislation and international agreements such as the Berne Convention, TRIPS Agreement, and WIPO Internet Treaties, enforcing copyright protection in the digital realm remains a formidable challenge due to jurisdictional constraints, the anonymity of offenders, and the cross-border nature of the internet. In India, the Copyright Act of 1957, in conjunction with the Information Technology Act of 2000, establishes the legal framework for safeguarding creative works; however, these laws frequently fail to adequately address the rapidity and magnitude of contemporary digital piracy. OTT platforms encounter distinct legal and ethical challenges as they endeavor to reconcile accessibility, affordability, and the rights of creators and producers. This research seeks to examine the legal, technological, and policy aspects of copyright challenges in the digital age, focusing on how OTT platforms manage copyright ownership, licensing, and enforcement.
It also investigates significant judicial rulings that have influenced the strategy towards digital copyright protection and underscores the initiatives undertaken by governments and industry participants to combat piracy through Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems, encryption, watermarking, and educational campaigns.
Moreover, the paper explores the growing significance of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology as potential instruments for enhancing copyright enforcement in the future.
In conclusion, the study posits that although OTT platforms have democratized entertainment and improved accessibility, there is a pressing need for more robust legal and technological frameworks to protect intellectual property rights in the digital marketplace. The paper concludes that addressing online piracy necessitates a comprehensive approach that integrates effective law enforcement, international collaboration, technological advancements, and consumer education. Only through such an all-encompassing strategy can the equilibrium between creativity, commerce, and consumer rights be preserved in the continuously evolving digital entertainment landscape.
KEYWORDS-COPYRIGHT PROTECTION, DIGITAL ERA, ONLINE PIRCY, OTT PLATFORMS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS