Content Protection Goes Grassroots

6 Jul, 2011 By: Chris Tribbey

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Studios and groups representing the film and television industries have banded together to create a grassroots organization committed to fighting content theft.

Creative America aims to be the unified voice against piracy for more than 2 million Americans nationwide whose jobs involve the film and TV industries. Every major studio, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, CBS Corp., the Directors Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts all have signed on to the endeavor.

“Creative America is the coalition we’ve needed for a long time,” said Tom Houghton, an Emmy-nominated director of photography. “Our industry is coming together on the big common issue that is affecting all of us. We’ve all got a shared interest in stopping content theft.”

The coalition aims to be a one-stop shop for members to learn about the impact of content theft, and support legislation against piracy, including the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act, or PROTECT IP. Currently before the U.S. Senate, the legislation would authorize the U.S. Department of Justice to go after foreign websites accused of piracy.

“People need to understand that this isn’t a victimless crime,” said Rachel Lipsey, who runs a craft business with her husband, serving TV and film productions in Portland, Ore. “When movies and TV get stolen, it hurts me and everyone I work with. We aren’t celebrities, we’re regular working people, and we depend on movies and TV shows being made for our living. This is about American jobs and American workers. Congress has got to do something.”

Creative America estimates global content theft already has cost the American economy 140,000 jobs.

“The goal of Creative America is to bring together people of diverse skills, talents, interests and backgrounds who care about protecting jobs and creativity in this country,” said director Jonathan Mostow (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, U-571). “When the movies and TV shows that we create and finance are stolen, there is a ripple effect throughout our business.”

Supporters of the initiative can sign up at CreativeAmerica.org, which offers news, statistics, background on piracy and lawmaker contacts. The group also has Twitter (@CreativeAmerica) and Facebook accounts.

“Content theft threatens the viability of our industry, our company and our jobs,” NBC Universal said in a statement. “Combating this growing problem will take the coordinated efforts of everyone whose incomes, benefits and pensions are put at risk by this illegal activity. That's what makes the launch of Creative America such a significant step and why NBC Universal is behind this effort.

“For the first time, everyone who is directly or indirectly affected can come together with a single voice in order to make a difference.”
 

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