Statement from MPAA CEO Charles Rivkin on the MPAA’s Comments to USTR on the World’s Most Notorious Markets
WASHINGTON– The MPAA formally submitted comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on the world’s most notorious markets for content theft. The following is a statement on the filing from Charles Rivkin, CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).
“The American film and television industry contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, supporting two million American jobs and registering a positive services trade surplus of $13.3 billion. This economic activity is increasingly linked to the legal digital marketplace for creative content, which now consists of more than 460 unique platforms and services across the globe.
“However, online content theft undermines the economic success of film and television, threatens the livelihoods of millions of creators, and harms consumers by spreading viruses and malware. In particular, streaming device piracy – enabled by preloaded piracy devices and unauthorized add-ons – poses a significant and evolving challenge. Today, six percent of North American households own a device with software configured to access pirated content.
“The MPAA appreciates the opportunity to participate in this important exercise, and looks forward to working with USTR and the broader interagency team to foster creativity and enforce U.S. intellectual property rights.”
The full filing is available here.
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