US calls on France to lead international fight against film piracy

[Flagg]

US CALLS ON FRANCE TO LEAD INTERNATIONAL FIGHT AGAINST FILM PIRACY

Received Sunday, 16 May 2004 15:55:00 GMT
CANNES, France, May 16 (AFP) - US movie heavyweights on Sunday sought to lay aside transatlantic tensions by asking France to lead the fight against the burgeoning illegal copying of movies worldwide that is blighting the industry.
"I have no hesitation in asking the (culture) minister of France to take the lead and we will be with him," the head of the Motion Picture Association of America, Jack Valenti, told a panel on movie piracy at the Cannes film festival.
His association estimates that illegal copying costs the US film industry some 3.5 billion dollars (three billion euros) a year.
The closed-door discussions marked the first time all players in the industry had sat down together with three of the countries blamed for producing many of the pirated copies: India, Russia and China.
All the participants, which included the leading Hollywood studios, influential film directors, Internet operators and industry associations agreed it was time to take coordinated international action, Valenti said.
"This issue of piracy affects every country, creed and culture," he stressed at a press conference after the meeting. "No country can do it alone."
He said the US film industry would "energetically support, cooperate and participate," in all the efforts taken to tackle the issue.
French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres said after the meeting that his government would announce a new strategy of "prevention, suppression and communication" to combat the problem.


http://www.ttc.org/200405161555.i4gftf001148.htm

[Sophree]

1. I wonder what the French have to say about

The US policy of OIL piracy.

[Tellurian]

2. hahaha, hee- good one!

[cliss]

9. Good one, SF.

The US evidently still has the "boss" mentality. We speak out, and expect other countries to follow suit. It's so pathetic, and I'm really looking forward to the day when we can have a "team" mentality.

[0rganism]

3. Why the French? Is it cos Michael Moore's film is showing at Cannes?

Betcha they don't want illicit copies of Farenheight 911 floating on the internet before the American premiere.

[0007]

5. I think that this is what it's all about, 'eh?

Farenheight 911 will be bigger than "The Passion?

[frankieT]

4. we have in France

a powerful show-business lobby. really disgusting. i guess France would be a good ""cultural"" alibi for the show-business mafia.

[maddezmom]

6. and wants France to turn the other way on an arms dealer

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x559408

:argh:

[mobuto]

7. Um, this isn't the Federal Government

This is the Motion Picture Association of America. While its always possible, I'm somewhat skeptical that the MPAA is acting as official proxy for the State Department.

[maddezmom]

10. hmmm, yes I understand...just funny to watch what the "US" wants

the federal gov't wants France to excuse a criminal, and the MPAA wants France to crack down on Piracy...sorry I just get a kick out or it all.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

8. Jack Valenti biography. Interesting read...

<http://www.educause.edu/conference/annual/2003/valenti-bio.asp>