PIRACY IN THE OTT ERA: IS COPYRIGHT LAW LOSING THE BATTLE?

The rapid growth of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms has revolutionized the entertainment industry by providing audiences with instant access to digital content. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and Sony LIV have changed the way content is consumed and are now an important part of the global media economy. While the digital revolution has taken place, online piracy has become one of the biggest problems for content creators, producers, and streaming platforms. Unauthorized copying, distribution and streaming of copyrighted material has led to significant monetary damages and concerns about the efficacy of existing copyright laws. This article discusses the nature of piracy in the post OTT era, scrutinizes the legal regime of copyright, reviews the issues related to enforcement of copyright law in the digital era and ultimately examines whether copyright law can effectively combat digital piracy in the 21st Century. Keywords: OTT platforms, copyright, digital piracy, intellectual property rights, streaming services, copyright act, digital rights management.