Numerous news outlets this morning reported that the MPAA, RIAA and internet service providers are nearing agreement on a long discussed proposal to better educate internet users on legal options for receiving entertainment content online, and to inform consumers who repeatedly engage in infringement online that their actions are inappropriate. We have not seen the [...]

The domino effect of piracy on downstream jobs like advertising, accounting, and others is one we discuss regularly at the Copyright Alliance. Sometimes these effects are self-evident, like make-up artists who might get fewer jobs with movie productions or photo sessions if work is scaled back. Other examples are less obvious. Case in point: the [...]

There was a good post on Copyhype this week in support of the PROTECT IP Act and S.978 that argued that as the Internet continues to evolve, the laws regulating it should similarly evolve and adapt. The author notes there are many who think that the only people who need to adapt are content creators, [...]

In the wake of unanimous Senate Judiciary Committee passage of the PROTECT IP Act, Public Knowledge offered this week the same litany of excuses for taking no action against digital theft of American intellectual property online, and appears content to see American workers harmed as a result. In matters of policy debate, it is unfortunate [...]

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative today released its annual “Special 301” report, identifying countries that fall short in intellectual property rights enforcement and market access for American IP products. The report summarizes some good news from the past year – finalizing the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, passage of four pieces of intellectual property rights [...]

Doug TenNapel is a graphic novelist and illustrator, whose stories have been sold to Fox, Universal and Paramount. His animated series, “Catscratch”, airs on Nicktoons by Nickelodeon. He is the creator of Earthworm Jim, a character that has been adapted to video games, cartoons and toys. He has a pretty cool career. One to be [...]

In honor of World Intellectual Property Day, The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) announced winners of its second REEL Challenge Contest — a competition for aspiring filmmakers to create a short film about the importance of copyright protections to their careers. The first place winner is a memorably clever 21-second spot by a filmmaker from Toronto [...]

Yesterday we shared indie filmmaker Ellen Seidler’s new video effort to educate people about the impact of online piracy and those who profit from it. Another filmmaker is taking a different approach and has posted a plea on the Pirate Bay web site, directly confronting would-be downloaders and asking them not to illegally download his [...]

The IPEC’s White Paper on Legislative Recommendations to Congress has just been released.  See the report here.  Among other recommendations, the IPEC notes that online piracy and counterfeiting are significant concerns for the Administration, and welcomes Congress’ attention to the issue of combating foreign rogue websites. Specific recommendations in areas not already under consideration by Congress include: [...]

The Copyright Alliance submitted written testimony for the record of today’s hearing, “Promoting Investment and Protecting Commerce Online: Legitimate Sites v. Parasites, Part I”, held by the House Subcommittee on Intellectual Property. The Alliance’s message focuses on three key points: The jobs associated with the creative sector go beyond the artist herself. They include all [...]