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Rina Chandran

MUMBAI, May 20

THE major broadcasters, Star, Sony, Zee-Turner and ESPN-Star Sports, have filed First Information Reports (FIRs) against multi-system operator (MSO), INCableNet, for stealing signals in violation of the Copyright Act.

The FIRs, which were filed last week, cited instances of piracy in such places as Bandra, Khar, Kandivili, Malad, Andheri and Ghatkopar, all Mumbai suburbs.

"There was piracy in the western and central suburbs, so we filed FIRs, as a result of which raids were conducted in eight places," said Mr Tony D'Silva, Vice President & Head of Distribution, Star India. "Arrest warrants have been issued, and the piracy has stopped to some extent."

ESPN-Star Sports (ESS) also confirmed that it had filed FIRs last week - in fact, this is a repeat performance of the chain of events last year, when ESS had filed FIR against INCableNet for the same reason, after switching off its signal over non-payment of dues, said Mr Sricharan Iyengar, Vice-President - Affiliate Sales, ESPN Software India.

Meanwhile, the broadcasters continue to be in talks with the Hinduja-owned INCableNet over non-payment of dues amounting to about Rs 15 crore. While the local cable operators who had associated with INCableNet are reportedly in talks with other MSOs in the city, there is a sense among some broadcasters that the police has not acted swiftly this time around.

"The police has not acted very promptly, perhaps the extent of piracy is the problem, or perhaps this is not such a big priority for them," Mr D'Silva said.

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