Motion Picture Association Statement on Confirmation of Gina Raimondo as Commerce Secretary

March 2, 2021

WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate today confirmed Gina Raimondo as the next Secretary of Commerce. The following is a statement from Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association:

“The Motion Picture Association applauds today’s Senate confirmation of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. We look forward to working with her to ensure the recovery and success of American workers and the economy, including the 2.5 million jobs and 280,000 small businesses supported by the film, television and streaming industry.

“Secretary Raimondo is well equipped to oversee a broad range of our industry’s policy priorities, including trade, copyright, telecommunications and technology. As President Biden’s chief advisor on intellectual property matters, we are confident she recognizes copyright’s value as an economic engine that supports 5.7 million jobs across all 50 states and adds $1.5 trillion to the economy annually. Additionally, as the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration represents U.S. interests before the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), we look forward to the Department’s continued support for robust enforcement against those who use the internet for unlawful purposes, such as violations of intellectual property.

“America’s creative economy relies on strong copyright policy, domestically and internationally. We stand ready to partner with Secretary Raimondo to strengthen our position in the global market, including by working with our trading partners to enforce copyright standards and improve market access for America’s film, television and streaming content. Working together, we believe Secretary Raimondo and our industry can achieve a great deal to rebuild our economy, protect American jobs and strengthen our nation’s leadership on the global stage.”

# # #

About The Motion Picture Association

The Motion Picture Association, Inc. (MPA) serves as the global voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world.

Its member studios are: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Netflix, Inc.; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO.

Media Contact:

Tom Zigo, Motion Picture Association
Tom_Zigo@motionpictures.org
202.378.9110