FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2007

 

U.S. FILM INDUSTRY COMMENDS CANADIAN GOVERNMENT’S INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO TOUGHEN ANTI-CAMCORD LAWS

Legislation is key to fighting movie theft at its source

 

Los Angeles - - The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) applauded the news that the Canadian Government today introduced a bill in the House of Commons to criminalize the illegal recording of films in Canadian movie theaters. 

 

“We know that all it takes is one good camcord to trigger the mass reproduction and distribution of millions of illegal downloads and bootlegs in global street markets just hours after a film’s release,” said Dan Glickman, Chairman and CEO of the MPAA. “Camcord piracy is the most significant threat facing film industries all over the world.  The introduction of this crucial legislation today by Ministers Oda, Nicholson and Bernier demonstrates the profound responsibility of legislators worldwide to protect their local film industries and economies from the damage caused by camcord piracy.”

 

Camcord thieves are at the top of the piracy pyramid supplying more than 90% of newly released movies that end up on the Internet and on the streets. Canada has been a major and growing source of camcorded films. In 2006, Canadian movie theaters were the source of approximately 20-25% of all illegally-camcorded MPAA member company films that have appeared either online or as a pirated DVD. The worldwide motion picture industry, including foreign and domestic producers, distributors, theaters, video stores and pay-per-view operators lost $18.2 billion (MPAA member companies lost $6.1 billion) in 2005 as a result of piracy. Given the extent of this problem, it is important that more countries enact effective anti-camcord legislation.

 

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: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution; Paramount Pictures; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLLP; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

 

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For more information, contact:

MPAA Los Angeles

Elizabeth Kaltman

(818) 995-6600