Statement from MPAA Chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd on the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017
WASHINGTON – The following is a statement from Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), applauding the approval of H.R. 1695, the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017, which was passed by the House Judiciary Committee with broad, bipartisan support.
“The MPAA congratulates Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers on the bipartisan, 27-1 passage in committee of legislation making the Register of Copyrights a nominated and confirmed position. We thank them and the House Judiciary Committee for their leadership in taking the first step to bring the Copyright Office into the 21st century.
“America’s core copyright industries now represent $1.2 trillion of GDP – or 6.8 percent of the entire U.S. economy – and employ more than 5.5 million American workers across the film, television, music, publishing, photography, software, and video game industries. The Register plays a crucial role as steward of America’s creative economy and expert copyright advisor to Congress. As today’s vote demonstrates, there is growing consensus that the time has come to create more public transparency and accountability in the appointment of this position.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the House Judiciary Committee and all of Congress as this legislation progresses.”
About the MPAA
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
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For more information, contact:
MPAA Washington, D.C.
Chris Ortman
(202) 293-1966
Chris_Ortman@motionpictures.org