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INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE INDUSTRIES SUPPORT GOVERNMENT ACTION GN PIRATE WEBSITES
KaulaLumpur,Thursday30′” J’une,2011 – Malaysia’sactionsto protect creatorsand creative industriesfrom website piracy have been applauded by organisations representing creative industries internationally.
The heads of ten international organisations representing right holders in the music, film, TV, theatre and video sectors have written to the Prime Minister voicing their whole hearted support for the measures.They have said the government’s initiative to block accessto copyright in fringing websites is “sensib’leand proportionate”and “in line with the actions of an increasing numberof countrie interniationally”.
The full letter sent yesterdayto the PrimeMirristeris attached.
Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak Prime Minister of Malaysia Office of The Prime Minister Main Block, Perdana Putra Building Federal Government Administrative Centre 62502 Putrajaya
Malaysia
29th June 2011
Dear Prime Minister
INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS HOLDERS APPLAUD MALAYSIA FOR ACTION ON COPYRIGHT
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)
cc.
DATO` SERI UTAMA DR. RAIS YATIM Minister of Information, Communications and Culture
DATO’ SRI ISMAIL SABRI BIN YAAKOB Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism
Mr. Norman Abdul Halim Chairman, Recording Industry Association of Malaysia,
