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India Motion Pictures Agreement

Ambassador of India

2107 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20006

February 20, 1992

Dear Madame Carla Hills,

In continuation of my letter of 5th February, 1992 I have the honour to inform you that the policy changes with regard to Motion Pictures conveyed therein, will be implemented with effect from April 1, 1992.

I take this opportunity to once again convey to you my warm regards and good wishes.

Yours sincerely,

Abid Hussain

Ambassador Carla A. Hills

United States Trade Representative

Executive Office of the President

Winder Building, 600, 17th St. N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20506

Ambassador of India

2107 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20006

February 5, 1992

Dear Madame Carla Hills,

Government of India have concluded a review of their import policy on films in the light of the request made by the United States for liberalization of the existing regime. It has been decided that the following changes will be made in the present policy:

1. Foreign motion picture companies or their trade associations will not be required to enter into an agreement with the National Film Development Corporation for import and distribution of their products in India.

2. Imports of motion pictures and video cassettes will not be canalized and will not be subject to canalization fees.

3. No import quotas will be applied to motion pictures or video imports. Foreign motion picture companies will be allowed to import and distribute video versions of the pre-1988 theatrical releases as well as non-theatrical video releases.

4. The Film Import Selection Committee (FISC) will be abolished. Apart from the censorship review by the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) applied to all motion pictures and video tapes, both domestic and foreign, under the Cinematograph Act, the CBFC will also conduct the qualitative review and screening out of motion pictures and video cassettes for import into India. Further, the Government of India will consider proposals to increase the list of film festivals and periodicals publishing film reviews used as a basis for such review.

5. No restrictions will apply with respect to the number of prints that may be imported.

6. The prohibition against dubbing into local languages will be abolished with respect to films and videos imported before and after 1988.

7. The present ceiling on remittances by trade associations of motion picture companies having existing operations in India is being maintained for Balance-of-Payments reasons. As an interim measure, till the negotiations on initial access in the Uruguay Round Negotiations on services have been completed satisfactorily for India, this will be raised to 6 million U.S. dollars per annum.

8. Foreign motion picture companies and their trade associations will be permitted to maintain existing representative offices or to establish new ones in India for the purpose of import and distribution of motion pictures and video cassettes.

The date of implementation of the above policy changes will be decided by mutual consultation between the Governments through diplomatic channels.

I take this opportunity to convey to you my warm regards and good wishes.

Yours Sincerely,

Abid Hussain

Ambassador Carla A. Hills

United States Trade Representative

Executive Office of the President

Winder Building, 600 17th St., N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20506

November 2001 Revision to India Motion Pictures Agreement

(Complimentary opening)

I am pleased to inform you that this issue was considered by our government and the annual ceiling of US$ 6 million per annum on remittance of surplus rental by the trade associations of motion picture companies, has been done away with. The concerned branch offices of foreign companies who were members of Motion Picture Association of American have been suitably advised by Reserve Bank of India, in the matter.

(Complimentary closing)