Kerala CM V D Satheesan has called for changes to existing copyright laws to address film piracy, deepfakes and other risks emerging from the use of artificial intelligence.
Stronger Legal Protection for Film Industry
Speaking at a seminar on “Music, Cinema and Law: Exploring the Intersections of Art, Culture and Law”, V D Satheesan said the film industry involves substantial financial investment as well as the creative contribution of several people.
He said existing laws should be strengthened to provide better protection to the industry against piracy, which continues to affect films and their creators.
Satheesan also pointed to the increasing use of artificial intelligence in creating music, images and videos. According to him, the technology has created new legal concerns, including the production and circulation of deepfakes and other security-related risks.
The creation of fake visuals involving prominent personalities and their subsequent circulation through social media, he said, demonstrates the need for a legal framework capable of responding to technological developments.
AI and the Changing Legal Landscape
The growing use of AI in creative work has raised questions around copyright, ownership, digital content and the protection of creative rights.
The seminar is examining these issues alongside questions concerning piracy and the changing role of digital platforms. Discussions are also focusing on how existing legal frameworks can respond to developments in technology without losing sight of the interests of artists and creators.
Satheesan Highlights Role of Art
Apart from the legal challenges facing the creative industry, Satheesan also spoke about the wider importance of art and artists.
He said art can allow people to temporarily move beyond the difficulties of everyday life and experience moments of happiness and relief.
His remarks placed the legal discussion around cinema and music within the broader role that creative expression plays in society.
Kerala Judicial Academy and NUALS Seminar
The seminar is being jointly organised by the Kerala Judicial Academy and the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) and is scheduled to continue until September 13.
The programme is covering contemporary legal questions concerning:
- Music
- Cinema
- Copyright
- Artificial Intelligence
- Digital Platforms
- Creative Rights
Justice V Mohan, Judge of the Supreme Court, attended the event as the chief guest, while Higher Education Minister R Bindu was also present.
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Kerala High Court Chief Justice on Law, Music and Cinema
Kerala High Court Chief Justice Soumen Sen observed that law, music and cinema may appear to belong to different fields but are closely connected with human behaviour and emotions.
He noted that while art reflects human experiences, law seeks to regulate and protect those experiences.
Justice Sen also highlighted the cultural significance of music, describing it as a medium through which societies preserve memories, express protest and communicate language and identity. He further noted its ability to provide solace amid conflict and tension.
Need for Law to Keep Pace With Technology
The discussions at the seminar underline the growing intersection between law, creative industries and technology.
With piracy continuing to affect the film industry and AI enabling the rapid creation and circulation of synthetic content, the speakers stressed the need to consider how legal protections can evolve alongside technological change.
The seminar is therefore examining not only the protection of copyright and creative rights but also the broader question of how law can safeguard human creativity in an increasingly digital environment.
