The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through Public Notice No. 64 (RE-2001) dated January 29, 2002, has set the policy for importing cinematograph films and other film formats, including video tapes, CDs, and DVDs. The notice, issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade, states that imports of feature films and other films can be made without a license. However, the importer must comply with Indian laws related to film distribution and exhibition, including obtaining a public exhibition certificate as per the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Importation of unauthorized or pirated films is prohibited, and foreign reprints of Indian films require prior written permission from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The Ministry also has the authority to waive or relax these requirements in specific cases deemed necessary for public interest. This notice supersedes the previous Public Notice No. 4(PN)/97-02 from March 31, 1997.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 64 /1997-2002
NEW DELHI: 29th January, 2002
Subject: Policy for import of cinematograph films and other films (including film on video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc or digital video disc).
In exercise of powers conferred under Paragraph 4.11 of the Export and Import Policy 1997-2002, as notified in the Gazette of India extraordinary, Part-II Section 3, sub Section (ii) vide S.O. No. 283(E) dated 31.3.1997 and in supersession of Public Notice no. 4(PN)/97-02 dated 31.03.1997, as amended from time to time, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby notifies the policy for import of cinematograph films and other films (including film on video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc or digital video disc)
(i) Import of cinematograph feature films and other films (including film on video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc or digital video disc) shall be allowed without a licence.
(ii) The importer of the film shall comply with the provisions of all applicable Indian laws governing the distribution and exhibition of films, including the requirement of obtaining a certificate of public exhibition prescribed under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
(iii) Import of any unauthorized/pirated films shall be prohibited.
(iv) Import of foreign reprints of Indian films shall not be permitted without the prior permission in writing from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
(v) The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, on being satisfied that it is necessary or expedient in public interest to do so, may waive or relax the above requirements.
This issues in the Public interest .
(N.L. LAKHANPAL)
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF FOREIGN TRADE
Copy to all concerned,
By order etc.
(O.P.Hisaria)
Dy. Director General of Foreign Trade
