The Channel Providers Association of Pakistan (CPAP) has welcomed appointed of the legal firm, Haleem and Khan, by Royal Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to help curb cable piracy in the country.
In a joint statement the office-bearers, including President Mohmud Rizvi and General Secretary Khalid Malik, of CPAP and other members appreciated the efforts of Royal IPR towards elimination of piracy and promotion of legal trade.
All cases under copyright laws would now be expedited with appointment of a legal firm with quick disposal of copyright laws violation cases. The illegal sale of smuggled channel cards would be discouraged in the country, they added.
They pointed out that under 'Copyright Act', the violators of these rules can be awarded three-year rigorous imprisonment or a fine of Rs 1 million or both punishment concurrently.
The CPAP office-bearers urged the cable operators of the country to avoid using illegal, smuggled cards of TV broadcasters like Show Time, MultiChoice, Pehla, Orbit etc and show only those channels which are approved by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).
They also warned that now they would be dealt with strictly under the laws and they could not be able to keep themselves away from the punishments from the higher courts.
They further said that the CPAP is completely aware of the problems of the cable operators and for solution of those problems, they have been asked to directly contact CPAP members for redressal. The association is ready to extend every possible co-operation to cable operators, they added.