Creative Sector Worldwide Welcomes G8 Leaders' Commitments On Intellectual Property

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ IFPI) Representatives of the creative sector worldwide have welcomed commitments on intellectual property protection made by the G8 Summit today in Deauville, France.

The heads of 16 organisations responded to the conclusion of the G8 Summit with the following joint statement:

"As representatives of the creative sector we welcome the commitment by the G8 leaders in Deauville to steps that will ensure a thriving digital environment guided by the rule of law.

"We welcome the G8 Summit's recognition of the need for laws and frameworks leading to improved enforcement. We also applaud its commitment to ensuring effective action against violations of intellectual property in the digital world. We share the goal of a responsible online marketplace benefitting consumers, the creators we represent and the development of legitimate commerce.

"Our sector - which includes the book, film, games, music and television industries - is a vital part of the world economy. We are a major source of cultural creation, jobs, growth and tax revenue.

"Every country has artists, composers, authors, performers, whose contributions to their nations' cultural and economic wealth depend on the ability to protect their rights online as well as in the physical world.

"These commitments by the G8 leaders will help ensure that the creative sectors in their countries can thrive in a digital environment guided by the rule of law, with all that this means for jobs, cultural diversity and economic growth."

Signatures

Alison Wenham, Chief Executive, Association of Independent Music (AIM)

G. Robert Hooijer, Interim Director General, International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC)

Dominick Luquer, General Secretary, International Federation of Actors (FIA)

Victor Hadida, President, International Federation of Film Distributors Associations (FIAD)

Luis Alberto Scalella, President, International Federation of Film Producers' Associations (FIAPF)

John Smith, President, International Federation of Musicians (FIM)

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, IFPI, representing the recording industry worldwide

Jens Bammel, Secretary General, International Publishers Association (IPA)

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)

Jay D. Roth, National Executive Director, Directors Guild of America (DGA)

Matthew D. Loeb, International President, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada (IATSE)