Currently, those caught committing piracy are only hit with a violation that carries a fine. Under the proposal, a first-time offender would face up to a year in prison and a repeat offender would be charged with a felony.
New York City already has upgraded film piracy to a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to six months in jail for a first offense.
Cuomo's announcement was made jointly with actress Tina Fey, NBC Universal President and CEO Jeff Zucker, and Dan Glickman, who is chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America.
