Copyright in India is governed by the Copyright Act, 1957. Copyright means any exclusive right given to the owner of literary, artistic, dramatic, musical, artistic, cinematograph film, sound recording. This is a right that is granted by the government. Due to the digital age however there can be seen an increase in the digital piracy of copyright throughout the world. This has led to the authorities to be more vigilant in ensuring a smooth process of copyright. This article critically examines the legal framework governing copyright infringement and digital piracy in India, evaluates enforcement difficulties, and suggests measures to strengthen IP protection in the digital age.

Copyright is a right granted by the government to the owner of the work to ensure that his/her work is protected from illegal or unauthorised use by any other person. This also gives an opportunity to others to develop upon the knowledge gathered from these works. These works are available to the public to ensure public awareness. Although in the digital age the enforcing of these rights has become challenging.

 Digital piracy refers to the illegal reproduction and display of any work on any electronic platform which infringes the rights of the owner. Digital piracy has grown over the years due to the advent and the generations being dependant on any form of digital display. Copyright, as defined under the Copyright Act, 1957, covers original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, including cinematograph films and sound recordings (The Copyright Act, 1957). These rights allow authors and creators to control the use and distribution of their work for a stipulated period. Digital piracy involves the illegal downloading, streaming, reproduction, or distribution of copyrighted content without authorization. In India, the impact of piracy is profound. According to a report by the Motion Picture Association (2022), India ranked among the top countries in terms of illegal content consumption, resulting in substantial losses to the media and entertainment sector. Software piracy similarly undermines legitimate software industries and cyber security.

The Copyright Act governs a variety of rights and the framers have now included various provisions to ensure that illegal screening of works and digital piracy are curbed. This has resulted in certain amendments of the Act to ensure that it is in pace with the ever so changing digital environment.

The rapid growth of digital technologies has revolutionized content creation, distribution, and consumption in India, but it has also created fertile ground for copyright infringement and digital piracy. As this article has explored, India possesses a robust statutory framework to safeguard copyright, notably through the Copyright Act, 1957 and its 2012 amendments, including Sections 65A and 65B, which explicitly address the challenges of the digital era. However, the persistence of piracy—whether in the form of illegal streaming, unauthorized downloads, or the manipulation of rights metadata—indicates that legal provisions alone are insufficient. The enforcement challenges in India are deeply systemic. 

From jurisdictional complications and technological evasiveness to overburdened courts and limited public awareness, these issues collectively undermine the effectiveness of existing copyright laws. The emergence of mirror sites, anonymized hosting, and the misuse of digital platforms to disseminate infringing content reflect how rapidly offenders adapt to enforcement measures. Moreover, the low levels of IP literacy and normalization of piracy among consumers further dilute the impact of legal deterrents.

To create a sustainable and rights-respecting digital environment, India must move beyond reactive legal strategies toward a proactive, collaborative approach. This involves not only empowering the judiciary and law enforcement with digital tools and training but also fostering strategic alliances between content creators, intermediaries, internet service providers, and cybercrime cells. Public education campaigns are equally critical to shift societal attitudes and emphasize the moral and economic importance of respecting intellectual property.

Ultimately, safeguarding copyright in the digital age is not merely a legal obligation but a foundational requirement for nurturing creativity, innovation, and economic growth. As India positions itself as a global hub for digital media, software, and entertainment, a more integrated and dynamic response to piracy will be essential. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms, modernizing judicial processes, and cultivating a culture of respect for intellectual property can together ensure that the rights of creators are upheld without stifling technological progress or access to information.