MIB seeks transfer of all OTT court cases to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court could soon hear all court cases related to OTT platforms. As per industry sources, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) is readying a petition, wherein it intends to seek the transfer of all court cases against OTT platforms to the Supreme Court.

The move comes close on the heels of the Cabinet Secretariat bringing all films and Audio-Visual programmes made available by online content providers, as well as news and current affairs content on online platforms under the purview of the MIB.

Also read: MIB to regulate OTT, online news portals’ content

MIB’s move to approach the Supreme Court signals one more step in the direction towards regulating OTT content. It may be noted that in October 2020, the apex court had asked the Centre to respond to a petition seeking regulation of OTT content by an autonomous body. The petition pointed out that currently there were no regulations or any autonomous body to monitor and control digital content.