Police to ensure proper investigation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the increasing incidents of infringement on intellectual property rights, the state police are initiating various measures to ensure proper investigation into cases registered under the Copyrights Act.

 DGP Jacob Punnoose had recently issued a circular directing the police officers that investigation into the cases under Copyright Act might be preferably completed within three months. A detailed investigation should also be conducted into such cases in order to find the actual source of piracy.  It has been directed to attach Section 292 of Indian Penal Code in piracy cases involving obscene or pornographic materials. Section 292, which deals with sale of obscene materials, warrants imprisonment up to two years. Other provisions in IPC and Acts such as the IT Act and Trade Mark Act shall also be attached in such cases.

 The DGP had also directed that while conducting searches in cases relating to Copyright, the entire search procedure shall be videographed or photographed.

 A list of contact details of all major video and music companies should be maintained at the police stations so that they could be summoned as expert witnesses during suo motu raids against anti-piracy. The investigating officers should produce before the court evidence regarding titles, licence and assignment deeds to prove ownership in Copyright cases, says the DGP’s directive.