NEW DELHI: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has sought to ensure fair play in disputes between theatres and production houses by directing that all movie halls - whether standalone or part of multiplexes - cannot take a discriminatory decision against a particular movie or production company.

The order came on an appeal by Eros International Media and Sunshine Pictures and others.

The CCI said several film bodies and associations had been indulging in various anti-competitive activities in violation of competition rules by asking producers to compulsorily register their films before release.

CCI Chairman Ashok Chawla said: "There have been a few complaints and we want to ensure there is fair play and the principles of competition should be upheld." There must be smooth functioning between producers, distributors and exhibitors so that movies goers are not affected, he added.

A distributor buys rights for screening a film in a particular "territory" and recovers costs from the exhibition of the film.

"However, often due to problems arising out of revenue sharing or past dues, exhibitors refuse to screen films," said Chawla. "This will have to stop, exhibitors would not be allowed to discriminate between movies and producers based on past records."