Google`s YouTube is not required to hand over the email or IP address of users who upload films illegally to its video platform, Europe`s top court ruled on Thursday, saying there must be a balance between protecting personal data and copyright. 
 
The case came before the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) after a German court sought guidance on what video platforms must do to combat film piracy in a case concerning German film distributor Constantin Film Verleih. 
 
The company, which had distribution rights to the films 'Scary Movie 5' and 'Parker' in Germany, had asked YouTube and Google to provide the email addresses, telephone numbers and IP addresses of users who had uploaded those films illegally onto YouTube in 2013 and 2014. 
 
Constantin Film took its case to the German court after Alphabet subsidiaries Google and YouTube refused to supply the details. 
 
"When a film is unlawfully uploaded onto an online platform, such as YouTube, the rights holder may, under the directive on the enforcement of intellectual property rights, require the operator to provide only the postal address of the user concerned, but not his or her email, IP address or telephone number," judges said. 
They said EU countries could opt for more protection for intellectual property rights holders but there must be a fair and proportionate balance between various fundamental rights. 
 
A YouTube spokeswoman said Google and YouTube were committed to protecting copyright and safeguarding privacy of their users and their data. "Today's CJEU decision provides the legal clarity on what information is appropriate to share with rights holders in case of a copyright claim," she said in an emailed statement.

Google`s YouTube is not required to hand over the email or IP address of users who upload films illegally to its video platform, Europe`s top court ruled on Thursday, saying there must be a balance between protecting personal data and copyright.

Google`s YouTube is not required to hand over the email or IP address of users who upload films illegally to its video platform, Europe`s top court ruled on Thursday, saying there must be a balance between protecting personal data and copyright. The case came before the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) after a German court sought guidance on what video platforms must do to combat film piracy in a case concerning German film distributor Constantin Film Verleih. The company, which had distribution rights to the films 'Scary Movie 5' and 'Parker' in Germany, had asked YouTube and Google to provide the email addresses, telephone numbers and IP addresses of users who had uploaded those films illegally onto YouTube in 2013 and 2014. Constantin Film took its case to the German court after Alphabet subsidiaries Google and YouTube refused to supply the details. "When a film is unlawfully uploaded onto an online platform, such as YouTube, the rights holder may, under the directive on the enforcement of intellectual property rights, require the operator to provide only the postal address of the user concerned, but not his or her email, IP address or telephone number," judges said. They said EU countries could opt for more protection for intellectual property rights holders but there must be a fair and proportionate balance between various fundamental rights. A YouTube spokeswoman said Google and YouTube were committed to protecting copyright and safeguarding privacy of their users and their data. "Today's CJEU decision provides the legal clarity on what information is appropriate to share with rights holders in case of a copyright claim," she said in an emailed statement.

YouTube not obliged to inform on film pirates, Europe's top court says

&nbsp;The Maharashtra government has pulled 11 websites down after receiving complaints from the entertainment industry that pirated content was displayed.

The Maharashtra Cyber Digital Crime Unit (MCDCU), started last August for systematically eliminating websites that upload pirated content, pulled down these websites.

Brijesh Singh, special Inspector General of Police, Maharashtra cyber cell, said the collective viewership of these websites was over 80 million.

The initiative, the first of its kind in the country, was launched by the Cyber Cell of Maharashtra Police following directions from the Home Department.

Laxman Kamble, the lone police inspector attached to the state government's Cyber Cell, said in a bid to contain piracy, a multi-stakeholder model has been created on a pilot basis.

Industry stakeholders and officers of the Cyber Cell are members, he told PTI.

Mr Kamble said the pilot project was started after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis received complaints from media conglomerates Viacom and Star.

He said that based on London metropolitan police's 'PIPCO' unit and according to conditions favourable in India, around 9,000 websites, through which piracy activities are taking place have been studied and 19 parameters have been applied to shortlist these portals.

Mr Singh, who is also the Director General of the State's Publicity Department, said top 11 websites were identified and a notice, under Section 149 of the Code Of Criminal Procedure was sent to the Domain registrar seeking action on these portals.

"Responding to our notice, the domain names of all these websites, that had a collective viewership of over 80 million, were suspended," Mr Singh said.

He added that an exercise to suspend 89 other websites, that have foreign based domains, but a large Indian viewership, is on.

Also, In January, websites that upload pirated music albums and movies will face action as the digital crime unit (DCU) of the Maharashtra cyber police has decided to crack down on such portals.&nbsp;

The police have already issued notices to 100 websites and will lodge FIRs against them if they are found uploading pirated content again.

The DCU was formed after Motion Picture Association of India and the film industry approached chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in October 2016 to complain about the losses they have to bear due to online piracy.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

The Maharashtra Cyber Digital Crime Unit (MCDCU), started last August for systematically eliminating websites that upload pirated content, pulled down these websites

The Maharashtra government has pulled 11 websites down after receiving complaints from the entertainment industry that pirated content was displayed. The Maharashtra Cyber Digital Crime Unit (MCDCU), started last August for systematically eliminating websites that upload pirated content, pulled down these websites. Brijesh Singh, special Inspector General of Police, Maharashtra cyber cell, said the collective viewership of these websites was over 80 million. The initiative, the first of its kind in the country, was launched by the Cyber Cell of Maharashtra Police following directions from the Home Department. Laxman Kamble, the lone police inspector attached to the state government's Cyber Cell, said in a bid to contain piracy, a multi-stakeholder model has been created on a pilot basis. Industry stakeholders and officers of the Cyber Cell are members, he told PTI. Mr Kamble said the pilot project was started after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis received complaints from media conglomerates Viacom and Star. He said that based on London metropolitan police's 'PIPCO' unit and according to conditions favourable in India, around 9,000 websites, through which piracy activities are taking place have been studied and 19 parameters have been applied to shortlist these portals. Mr Singh, who is also the Director General of the State's Publicity Department, said top 11 websites were identified and a notice, under Section 149 of the Code Of Criminal Procedure was sent to the Domain registrar seeking action on these portals. "Responding to our notice, the domain names of all these websites, that had a collective viewership of over 80 million, were suspended," Mr Singh said. He added that an exercise to suspend 89 other websites, that have foreign based domains, but a large Indian viewership, is on. Also, In January, websites that upload pirated music albums and movies will face action as the digital crime unit (DCU) of the Maharashtra cyber police has decided to crack down on such portals. The police have already issued notices to 100 websites and will lodge FIRs against them if they are found uploading pirated content again. The DCU was formed after Motion Picture Association of India and the film industry approached chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in October 2016 to complain about the losses they have to bear due to online piracy. (With inputs from PTI)

Maharashtra government pulls 11 websites after complaints of pirated content

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