Ministry of Law and Human Rights: Unlicensed Streaming and Illegal Public Screenings Threaten Film Copyright

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Law and Human Rights has affirmed that unlicensed streaming and illegal public screenings threaten film copyright.

The Director General of Intellectual Property at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Hermansyah Siregar, stated that the practice of broadcasting without permission and conducting unlicensed public screenings of films still frequently occurs in various public spaces, both online and offline.

“Showing films through personal subscription accounts for display in cafes, hotels, schools, or communities falls under the category of public performance and requires permission from the copyright holder,” Hermansyah said in a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday.

Without such permission, he added, the activity has the potential to violate the Copyright Law. Therefore, any use of films in public spaces must respect the economic rights of creators.

Although the development of digital platforms has made it easier for the public to access films legally for personal consumption, he said that using personal accounts for commercial purposes or for public viewing on a large scale is not included in the scope of individual licenses.

He explained that a film is a collective work involving scriptwriters, directors, composers, actors, and production crew.

“Unlicensed streaming or screening means ignoring their economic rights, which are guaranteed by law,” he said.

Furthermore, the Director of Copyright and Industrial Design at the Directorate General of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Agung Damarsasongko, explained that Law Number 28 of 2014 concerning Copyright stipulates that cinematographic works are included as objects of copyright protection.

The economic rights over films, he continued, include the right to reproduce, distribute, and announce or display the work to the public.

Therefore, he said, any use outside the license granted, including for commercial purposes, must obtain permission from the copyright holder or official distributor.

Agung said that in addition to potentially incurring legal consequences, the practice of illegal broadcasting and unlicensed public screenings also has an impact on the sustainability of the national film industry.

“Revenue from official distribution is the main source of funding for the production of the next film and the livelihood of the creative workers behind the scenes,” said Agung.

To avoid violations, he suggested that organizers of film screening events in public spaces contact production houses, official distributors, or copyright holders to obtain a written license.

He said that the license agreement provides legal certainty and serves as a valid basis for the use of the work.

He said that increasing legal literacy in the field of copyright is key to preventing similar violations.

In addition, Agung said that awareness to use official platforms and obtain permission for film screenings is a form of support for the national creative industry.

Respecting copyright, he said, does not only mean complying with laws and regulations, but also ensuring that filmmakers receive fair compensation for the works enjoyed by the public.

“With this compliance, the Indonesian film ecosystem can grow in a healthy, fair, and sustainable manner,” he said.