The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) announced that one of its representatives testified at a hearing before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet.
The prepared statement can be downloaded from the MPAA’s web site.
For more information visit: www.mpaa.org
Unedited press release follows:
MPAA TESTIFIES ON MISUSE OF STREAMING TECHNOLOGY FOR ILLICIT ONLINE ACTIVITY
WASHINGTON — In a hearing before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet, Michael O’Leary, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs for the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) testified on the serious and growing impact of illegal streaming on the film and television community and its workforce.
“In addressing the subject of illegal streaming, it is important to note what this debate is not about. It is not a debate between technology and innovation and the creation of content. That is a false choice raised by too many people. This issue is really about favoring legitimacy over theft – about promoting and preserving creativity and production and punishing people who seek to profit through stealing the hard work of others.” said O’Leary in a prepared statement submitted to the Committee.
“Streaming technology is rapidly becoming the most popular mechanism for transmitting stolen content on rogue sites,” he continued. “Illegal sites link U.S. consumers to illegally streamed content. Streaming cyberlockers offer illegal storage and streaming of copyrighted content and encourage the uploading of this content as the primary means of driving monetizable traffic to their sites. This is not innovation; it’s theft.”
Noting the perceived disparity under federal law regarding the penalties associated with illegal streaming versus downloading – two methods of distributing the same stolen, digital content – O’Leary recommended a legislative fix to clarify this aspect of intellectual property law, echoing recommendations made by the Office if the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator in a white paper presented to Congress earlier this year.
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.