Statement from MPAA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin on USTR’s Notorious Markets and Special 301 Reports Released Ahead of World IP Day
WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today released two reports pertaining to global intellectual property rights in advance of World IP Day, which is celebrated worldwide tomorrow, April 26. The USTR’s 2018 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets report identifies markets around the world that engage in and facilitate copyright piracy, and its Special 301 Report is an annual review of the state of intellectual property rights protection and enforcement globally.
The following is a statement from Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA):
“The film and television industry is a community of millions of creators and innovators whose daily work in the business and art of storytelling entertains and inspires audiences worldwide. In the United States alone, the industry employs 2.6 million Americans and contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars into local economies every day. The industry also generates a trade surplus with every major economy across the globe, producing a $10.3 billion aggregate surplus. Ahead of World IP Day tomorrow, the USTR rightfully shines a light on the foreign threats to our creative economy, specifically around online content theft.
“The Notorious Markets report makes it clear how criminals are profiting on the backs of American workers in our creative economy. In addition, the Special 301 report underscores this Administration’s commitment to protecting those workers’ intellectual property from those threats.
“Today’s reports highlight the global nature of piracy and demonstrate that all governments need to do their part in protecting intellectual property, fostering legitimate commerce, and protecting creators. We applaud Ambassador Lighthizer and the USTR staff for doing their part in recognizing some of the most critical challenges and committing to address them. We look forward to continuing our work with them to protect intellectual property rights and grow our creative economy.”
The full USTR’s Notorious Markets report is available here, and the USTR’s Special 301 Report is available here.
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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. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Netflix, Inc.; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
For more information, contact:
MPAA Washington, D.C.
Tom Zigo
(202) 378-9110
Tom_Zigo@motionpictures.org