Lammy Stresses Importance Of Transatlantic IP Cooperation

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

07 September 2009

Speaking in Washington last week to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Minister of State for Intellectual Property in the UK, David Lammy stressed the importance of partnership between government, industry and law enforcement in tackling the issues faced by creative industries in the digital age.

Observing that the creative industries are major contributors to the US and UK economies, earning them USD71bn and USD19bn per year respectively, Lammy argued that in times of global economic uncertainty, creative industries are a key asset, and will help ensure economic success in both the short and long term, provided they give consumers the content they desire.

Stressing the importance of trans-Atlantic cooperation in this area, the Minister revealed that recent industry research suggests that the film and TV industries lost almost a billion dollars in 2007 alone through piracy, but argued that it is the responsibility of the industry to provide an attractive alternative to pirated films.

"For the American and British movie industries, the challenge of the 21st century isn’t persuading people to watch movies. That demand is there already. It’s making sure those who do watch movies are paying customers rather than pirates," Lammy told the MPAA representatives.

He continued:

"I want to see government, industry and the law enforcement community working together to ensure we find effective tailored solutions to the different challenges that piracy brings us."

"Britain is good at enforcing copyright. Partnerships between enforcement agencies, government and industry are yielding good results: in fact, convictions for IP offences have tripled between 2002 and 2007. However rights holders should not be relying on the threat of legal action to force people into buying their products, rather we should be looking for changes in consumer behaviour and the way we meet the changing needs of these consumers."

"Partnership and innovation by businesses can help consumers understand the problems illegal downloads cause creators and performers, giving them the knowledge and confidence they need to act within the law.

"If we provide the right combination of enforcement, education and forward- looking policy we can build a culture that provides consumers with legitimate access to the content they want," the UK IP Minister concluded

Recommended