As representatives of rights holders in the cultural, creative and entertainment sectors worldwide, we applaud the Malaysian Government for taking action to help shut copyright infringing websites.
Our sectors are founded on protection of copyright. This is what ensures creators, producers and investors are rewarded for their work, and in turn underpins an important and valuable part of national economies. In the digital age we are forging new business models to deliver creative works to consumers when, where and how they want them.
However, legitimate creative commerce cannot compete with the unfair competition from unlicensed services that facilitate the distribution of works without permission or payment to rights holders. Digital piracy threatens livelihoods, investment and the creation of culture across all our sectors.
At this pivotal moment in the development of online commerce, firm action is needed by governments to ensure there is proper and effective intellectual property protection on the internet. This was recognised in the commitment by the leaders of the G8 countries last month to effective measures to stop the violation of intellectual
property rights.
We are heartened to see Malaysia joining other countries by acting in this area. The government’s initiative to block access to copyright infringing websites is a proportionate response to a serious problem that affects everyone working in the creative sector both internationally and in Malaysia. It is also in line with the actions of an increasing number of other countries internationally, and is consistent with international copyright treaties.
We wholeheartedly support the action the government is taking to stand up for creators’ rights and enforce the rule of law in the digital era.
Signed:
Alison Wenham, Chief Executive, Association of Independent Music (AIM)
Victor Hadida, President, International Federation of Film Distributors Associations
(FIAD)
Luis Alberto Scalella, President, International Federation of Film Producers’
Associations (FIAPF)
Kim Bayley, Director, The Global Entertainment Retail Association-Europe (GERA
Europe)
Jean Prewitt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent Film & Television
Alliance (IFTA)
Ger Hatton, Secretary General, The International Confederation of Music Publishers
(ICMP)
Frances Moore, CEO, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)
Paul Solleveld, President, International Video Federation (IVF)
The Honorable Christopher J. Dodd, Chairman and CEO, Motion Picture
Association (MPA)
Johannes Studinger, Head of UNI Global Union Media Entertainment and Arts
(UNI MEI)
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