Press Release

MUSIC COMMUNITY UNITED IN ITS SUPPORT FOR LAUNCH OF USTR NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT PRODUCING NEW ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT
MUSIC COMMUNITY UNITED IN ITS SUPPORT FOR LAUNCH OF USTR NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT PRODUCING NEW ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT

In response to Tuesday’s announcement by the United States Trade Representative and the Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property and Piracy Prevention concerning the negotiation of an enforcement agreement designed to provide leadership in the fight against piracy in the current environment, the following organizations in the music community released the following joint statement of support:

AFM, AFTRA, ASCAP, BMI, NMPA, RAC, RIAA, SESAC, The Latin Recording Academy and The Recording Academy.

“On behalf of America’s performers, musicians, songwriters, composers, music publishers and record labels, we salute Ambassador Schwab, along with her counterparts in the key trading countries involved in this effort, for their dedication and vision in producing a blueprint for the kind of governmental response that is required to maintain the integrity of intellectual property protection in an ever changing and complicated environment. The music community—by which we refer to all parties involved in the creation and distribution to the public of recorded music—has been particularly hard hit by piracy in recent years. We are confronting the increased role of organized criminal syndicates in the manufacture and distribution of pirate discs at the same time that developments in communications technologies have posed ever more tension on the ability to guard against unauthorized uses. If creators around the world are going to be able to continue to live from their craft, then governments must step up their enforcement actions, and legal systems must demand greater accountability on the part of all parties involved in the transmission of infringing materials.”

“This announcement sets the stage for enhanced international collaboration in a fight against a global phenomenon. It builds on certain earlier initiatives announced by the G-8 with respect to the need to enhance the global fight against piracy, as well as on initiatives undertaken within the context of the U.S.-EU Summit, the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) with Canada and Mexico, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. In addition, today’s announcement furthers one of the goals contained in the important Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention which recognized that internet piracy should be a priority for law enforcement. We thank the participating parties for their leadership in producing this blueprint, and call upon each of them to move quickly to redeem the promise of this agreement and to continue to build an international consensus so that we can achieve a truly global response to the challenge of illegal activities that knows no borders.”


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AFM
Founded in 1896, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians.  With more than 90,000 members, the AFM represents all types of professional musicians, including those who record music for sound recordings, film scores, radio, television and commercial announcements, as well as perform music of every genre in every sort of venue from small jazz clubs to symphony orchestra halls to major stadiums.  Whether negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or lobbying legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape.

AFM Press contact:
Nicole Korkolis
(212) 983-6100, ext. 232

AFTRA
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. More than 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists are moving forward together through AFTRA to protect and improve our careers, lives, and communities.

AFTRA Press contact:
John Hinrichs
(323) 634-8115

ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 300,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members.  ASCAP has representation arrangements with over 90 music rights organizations such that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world.  ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances.  ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer and publisher members.  www.ascap.com

ASCAP Press contact:
Pauline Stack
(212) 621-6278



BMI
Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 350,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for over 65 years. The non-profit-making U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

BMI Press contact:
Robbin Ahrold
(212) 830-2502

THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY
The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community.

NMPA
The National Music Publishers' Association is committed to promoting and advancing the interests of music publishers and their songwriting partners.  As the trade association for the music publishing industry, NMPA's goal is to foster a business climate that allows its members to thrive creatively and financially.  Founded in 1917, NMPA battles for domestic and global protection of copyrights.  

NMPA Press contact:
Anna Marie Persky
(703) 838-9762

RAC
RAC is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition formed to represent the interests of recording artists with regard to legislative issues in which corporate and artists’ issues conflict, and to address other public policy debates that come before the music industry.  For more information about RAC, please visit www.recordingartistscoalition.com.

RAC Press Contatct:
Rebecca Greenberg
(800) 841-9113

THE RECORDING ACADEMY
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY® Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs.

RIAA
The Recording Industry Association of America is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members' creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conducts consumer, industry and technical research; and monitors and reviews state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA® also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi-Platinum™, and Diamond sales awards, as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, an award celebrating Latin music sales.

RIAA Press Contact:
Jonathan Lamy
(202) 775-0101

SESAC
Established in 1930, SESAC is a service organization created to serve both the creators of music and music users through music licensing and timely, efficient royalty collection and distribution. The second oldest and fastest growing performing rights organization in the U.S., SESAC is known for its diversified repertory that includes genres ranging from Adult Contemporary, Urban, Jazz, Rock, Americana, Contemporary Christian, Latin, Country, Gospel, Dance, Classical and New Age. SESAC is also rapidly becoming the performing rights organization of choice among many of Hollywood’s most sought-after film and television composers. Headquartered in Nashville, the company also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and London. (www.sesac.com)

SESAC Press contact:
Shawn Williams
615-320-0055