Hollywood, CA. (Top40 Charts/ CACP) - A California congressional delegation, Motion Picture Assn. of
America (MPAA), Recording
Industry Assn. of
America (RIAA), law enforcement and music industry executives huddled in a weeklong brainstorming meetings to solve the growing problem of counterfeiting and piracy threats to America's economy. SafeMedia Corporation is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coalition against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP) and is an
Internet Task Force Member and participated in the event.
"Counterfeiting and music piracy have been going on for years, escalating to a point where it has to stop, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us to do this," singer Mary Wilson, one of the three original legendary Motown Supremes singers testifying during Anti-Piracy Awareness Week in Hollywood (Thursday, August, 23, 2007). Mary Wilson, Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, known as the "Supremes," were one of the most successful female singing groups in recording history.
"Counterfeiting and piracy are costing the U.S. economy about $250 billion annually, have led to the loss of more than 750,000 American jobs and needlessly expose consumers to dangerous and defective products," said California 28th District Congressman Howard Berman, who moderated the Town Hall meeting, along with 33rd District Congresswoman Diane Watson and 27th District Congressman Brad Sherman.
"The Crime of counterfeiting and piracy is a dangerous threat to consumers and our economy," said Berman, who also chaired a hearing last June in Washington to reduce digital copyright violations on campus. Berman promised to secure more funds and resources for the U.S. Dept. of Justice, INS, Homeland Security and other federal agencies to crack down on counterfeiting and piracy.
Representative Sherman also believes that Congress has to start enforcing intellectual and copyright laws at the borders with more investigators, prosecutors and federal trade agents. "Six to nine percent of the world trade has pirated goods from auto parts to Barbie Dolls. If the real Barbie Dolls have lead paint, just imagine what the counterfeit dolls have," he said.
All panelists agreed that the industry and government need to take a proactive approach on the street and on the Internet.
