BULLYING'S MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS

The rapid expansion of digital technology has transformed the way copyrighted works are created, distributed, and consumed. While digital platforms and streaming services have made films, music, books, software, and other creative content more accessible, they have also created new opportunities for large-scale copyright infringement. Digital piracy now includes unauthorized downloading, illegal streaming, torrent distribution, screen recording, IPTV piracy, and the unlawful sharing of copyrighted material through online platforms. Unlike traditional piracy, digital infringement can occur instantly, anonymously, and across national borders, making detection and enforcement significantly more difficult. This research paper examines the growing problem of digital piracy, illegal streaming, and copyright infringement in the digital era, with particular emphasis on the Indian legal framework. It analyses the Copyright Act, 1957, the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, alongside relevant international instruments such as the Berne Convention, TRIPS Agreement, WIPO Copyright Treaty, and WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. The paper further examines significant judicial decisions concerning online copyright infringement, intermediary liability, and website blocking. It evaluates the economic, social, legal, and ethical consequences of digital piracy and considers emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence and other technologies. Finally, the paper proposes legal, technological, and policy measures to strengthen copyright enforcement while maintaining a balance between creators' rights, technological innovation, and public access to digital content.