Press Release
| NMPA Applauds Introduction of PRO IP Act of 2007 |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 6, 2007 NMPA Applauds Introduction of PRO IP Act of 2007 National Music Publishers’ Association Statement on the Introduction of Anti-Piracy Legislation For Immediate Release (December 6, 2007) – National Music Publishers’ Association President and CEO David Israelite today released the following statement regarding the introduction of H.R. 4279, the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO IP) Act of 2007: “I thank Chairman John Conyers and Ranking Member Lamar Smith for introducing this important legislation aimed at protecting creative and intellectual property. This PRO IP Act is an important step in the fight against music piracy.” “Music publishers and their songwriting partners are increasingly concerned about the theft of the songs they worked so hard to create. They need to be fairly compensated for their efforts so they can continue doing what they do best – making great songs the world enjoys.” The bipartisan bill aims to improve federal agency enforcement and to protect creator’s rights as well as provide more resources to do so. Coordination on both domestic and international fronts is necessary to protect Intellectual Property successfully. The bill acknowledges copyright’s contributions both creatively and economically and NMPA will stand behind the PRO IP Act of 2007 as it moves forward. Counterfeiting and piracy currently represent between $500 and $600 billion every year in lost sales worldwide. The United States alone loses between $200 and $250 billion every year . Music publishers and their songwriting partners suffer greatly as a result. The PRO IP Act of 2007 would establish an Executive Office to deal with IP enforcement, as well as create an IP division within the Department of Justice. “The Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act provides a strong and clear plan for protecting intellectual property. Music publishers and their songwriting partners applaud this effort,” said Israelite. About the NMPA Founded in 1917, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is a trade association representing more than 700 American music publishers. The NMPA’s mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and their songwriter partners in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights. Contact: Elizabeth K Young NMPA 202-742-4375 eyoung@nmpa.org |
