September 20, 2010
LOS ANGELES — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), Directors Guild of America (DGA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada (IATSE), and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) today released the following statement:
"As the Guilds and Unions representing more than 300,000 workers in the entertainment and media industries, we are sincerely appreciative of the "Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act" introduced today by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and co-sponsored by Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Arlen Specter (D-PA), George Voinovich (R-OH), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
"This legislation will make it easier to shut down "rogue" websites, which are dedicated to stealing the films, television programs and music created by our members. The largely foreign profiteers who operate these sites rob our members of the ability to make a living from their creativity and labor, prevent funds from reaching their pension and health plans, and endanger their ability to work now and in the future. These profiteers also hurt the American economy and ultimately the American consumer because Internet theft, if left unchecked, imperils the ability of content creators and financiers to continue making the content that people love to watch. Rogue sites look legitimate, but make no mistake — these sites are illegal and they are trafficking in illegally-obtained content, with only one goal in mind — making money from films, television programs, and recordings that they had no role at all in creating or financing. The proposed legislation makes it clear that this kind of profiteering is both illegal and unacceptable.
"We thank Chairman Leahy for his recognition of the stake Guild and Union members have in this situation and we look forward to working with him on this legislation as it moves through Congress."
About the signers of this statement:
AFTRA
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, singers, dancers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audiobooks, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at www.aftra.com.
DGA
The Directors Guild of America was founded in 1936 to protect the economic and creative rights of directors. Over the years its membership has expanded to include the directorial team - Unit Production Managers, Assistant Directors, Associate Directors, Stage Managers and Production Associates. Today, through the collective voice of more than 14,000 members, the Guild seeks to protect the rights of directorial teams, to contend for their creative freedom and strengthen their ability to develop meaningful and lifelong careers in film, tape and digital media.
IATSE
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC (IATSE) is one of the largest entertainment labor unions in the world and represents over 110,000 technicians, artisans and craftspeople employed in stagecraft, motion picture and television production, the trade show industry, and affiliated crafts throughout the United States, Its Territories and Canada. For background information on the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees: www.iatse-intl.org.
SAG
Screen Actors Guild is the nation's largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists' rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents over 125,000 actors who work in film and digital motion pictures and television programs, commercials, video games, industrials, Internet and all new media formats. The Guild exists to enhance actors' working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists' rights. SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. Headquartered in Los Angeles, you can visit SAG online at www.SAG.org.
Media Representatives:
For more information or press inquiries please contact:
AFTRA:
Christopher de Haan, 323-634-8203, cdehaan@aftra.co
DGA:
Sahar Moridani, 310-289-5333, SMoridani@dga.org
IATSE:
Katherine Orloff, 212-730-1770, ext. 150 iapr@mac.com
SAG:
Pamela Greenwalt, 323-440-2892, pgreenwalt@sag.org