Now users can be jailed for upto 3 years and maybe fined Rs 3 lakh for viewing torrent sites

The Indian government has come out with a new policy regarding usage of torrent sites. Under the new policy, a user can be jailed for upto 3 years or be imposed with a fine of Rs 3 lakh just for ‘viewing’ a torrent site. In order to curb piracy the government had directed Indian ISP’s to block torrent sites. Until now viewing these sites was harmless but now now if you try to visit such URLs and view the information, you may get three-year jail sentence as well as invite a fine of Rs 3 lakh.

According to a report on India today, you don’t have to download a torrent file, or the actual video or other files, which might have copyright. Just accessing information under a blocked URL will land you in jail along with a heavy fine.

If you visit such a URL, you will be shown the following warning:

“This URL has been blocked under the instructions of the Competent Government Authority or in compliance with the orders of a Court of competent jurisdiction. Viewing, downloading, exhibiting or duplicating an illicit copy of the contents under this URL is punishable as an offence under the laws of India, including but not limited to under Sections 63, 63-A, 65 and 65-A of the Copyright Act, 1957 which prescribe imprisonment for 3 years and also fine of upto Rs. 3,00,000/-. Any person aggrieved by any such blocking of this URL may contact at [email protected] who will, within 48 hours, provide you the details of relevant proceedings under which you can approach the relevant High Court or Authority for redressal of your grievance”