Andre Yoskowitz
10 Apr 2007 10:01
The MPAA and RIAA have often blamed China as one of the main avenues of media piracy of US entertainment. The MPAA has gone so far as to say that the film industry loses 2.3 million in revenue every year due to piracy.
For years the two groups as well as other members of the entertainment industry have been trying to get the Chinese government to take a tougher stance against US media piracy.
However, China has made steps to cut down on piracy but the main problem remains. There are many import restrictions placed on American goods such as movies, books and music and these restrictions lead to a higher demand for piracy in China as they have no alternative to getting the media they desire.
Still, with the decision to file a complaint with the WTO, a trade representative addressed a few of America's complaints and addressed the import issue.
"Piracy and counterfeiting levels in China remain unacceptably high,” U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwabb said. “Inadequate protection of intellectual property rights in China costs U.S. firms and workers billions of dollars each year, and in the case of many products, it also poses a serious risk of harm to consumers in China, the United States and around the world..."
Representative Schwabb continued, "In the same vein, we have discussed with China in detail the harm to U.S. industries, authors and artists who produce books, journals, movies, videos, and music caused by limiting the importation of these products to Chinese state-owned entities, and the problems caused by Chinese laws that hobble the distribution of foreign home entertainment products and publications within China. These products are favorite targets for IPR pirates, and the legal obstacles standing between these legitimate products and the consumers in China give IPR pirates the upper hand in the Chinese market.”
Of course, the MPAA and RIAA welcomed and backed the government's decsion.
"...it is long past time for China to come to grips with the fact that limitations on the access of American content companies to the Chinese market has not had any practical result other than effectively providing exclusive distribution channels for illegal music distributors rather than legitimate companies," the Chairman and CEO of the RIAA said.
"China's inaction is enormously costly to musicians, songwriters and record labels across the world. The irony is that China's failed piracy and market access strategies hurt Chinese creators most. We hope that today's announcement will trigger an immediate reform of Chinese policy and practices."
Dan Glickman, the head of the MPAA continued:
"This is a welcome and logical next step in efforts to spur progress in China. Fair market access and respect for the intellectual property of other countries are basic conditions of membership in the global community which China committed to live by when it sought acceptance into the WTO. This action is fair, timely and appropriate.
"I am optimistic about the potential for a favorable resolution, and the resulting benefits for the U.S. motion picture industry. The Chinese people - like people the world over - love American movies."
The MPAA and RIAA should try to get a fraction of the Chinese market by offering lower priced legitamite DVDs and helpeing to get some of the import restrictions lifted.
Source:
Slyck