eNews
Copyright Force finally here to fight online piracy
NEW DELHI: The Copyright Force is finally here to fight online content piracy, which has been bleeding the Indian content companies, from film, music and TV world, billions of rupees in revenues as pirates have been making hay.
It seems in co-ordinated movements by the Indian government and the industry, plans have been initiated to seriously fight the online piracy menace. While the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), under Commerce Ministry, earlier this week discussed the copyright and piracy issues with stakeholders, industry body FICCI sent out notes to stakeholders to be part of Copyright Force, a unique cross-industry coalition.
Globally online piracy of content costs trillions of dollars that have prompted several industry organisations to focus specifically on arresting online piracy. According to Dubai-based GO-Gulf, there are $12.5 billion in economic losses each year due to piracy in the music industry alone; 71,060 jobs are lost in the United States every year due to piracy and $2.7 billion in workers’ earnings are lost each year due to online piracy. Interestingly, according to the research, India is ranked 5th (60 per cent) in the Top 10 countries with online piracy, while China tops the list with 91 per cent piracy.
The DIPP meeting of stakeholders, including producers from film and TV industry, was held to discuss issues related to copyright infringement and ways to tackle online piracy. The meeting, chaired DIPP joint secretary Rajiv Aggarwal, not only appreciated efforts being initiated by the Telangana Intellectual Property Crime Unit or TIPCU to curb piracy of copyright protected material, but expressed the need to adopt this model by other states also to check the menace within their respective jurisdiction.
Incidentally, TIPCU is a motivated version of Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), funded by the Intellectual Property Office of the UK and run by the City of London Police with a special focus on offences committed online.
The industry initiative, helmed by FICCI, is on the lines of discussions at DIPP — to facilitate exchange of global best practices, support platforms that encourage B2G and G2B dialogue and encourage initiatives to promote and protect copyright and possibly take action against offenders, along with law enforcement agencies.
While highlighting the need for a robust copyright eco-system and acknowledging the National IPR Policy was as a step in the right direction, FICCI outlined the objectives of the Copyright Force:
# Highlight vital role that copyright plays in fostering creativity and culture, stimulating investmentsand economic growth, while serving to enhance the competitiveness of industry and business
# Encourage innovation and improved consumer experience through legitimate content delivery platforms
#Address the challenge of piracy that undermines the growth potential of this sector.
The Copyright Force, which will bring together leaders in the fields of film, television, music, media, Internet, technology and OTT content delivery platforms, likely to have its first formal meeting sometime in January 2017. Some of the biggest broadcasting companies in India have been part of initial discussion on the formation of Copyright Force.
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Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
