NMPA Applauds Senate Judiciary Committee Action on Digital Theft Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / May 26, 2011
WASHINGTON— The National Music Publishers’ Association today applauded the unanimous approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee on legislation to crack down on offshore websites dedicated to theft of American intellectual property. The bill, which was introduced with bipartisan support, passed overwhelmingly by a unanimous voice vote.
“This is great progress on an issue that could not be more fundamental for American jobs. The music publishing and songwriting community is pleased to stand alongside so many representatives of the American economy in our support of this effort,” said NMPA President and CEO David Israelite. “We are grateful for the leadership of the Senate Judiciary Committee for addressing this early in the 112th Congress. This is one step in the always lengthy legislative process, but it is an important one. We look forward to working with members of both parties and in both chambers to see it signed into law.”
The NMPA was among 170 trade associations and businesses large and small who signed a letter of support to U.S. Senators yesterday in advance of today’s committee action. The letter stated:
“IP-intensive industries are a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, employing more than 19 million people and accounting for 60 percent of exports. Rampant online counterfeiting and piracy presents a clear and present threat that the U.S. must do more to address. A study examined approximately 100 rogue sites and found that these sites attracted more than 53 billion visits per year. That averages about 9 visits for every man, woman, and child on Earth. It is not surprising that global sales of counterfeit goods via the Internet from illegitimate retailers reached $135 billion in 2010. What’s more, as a consequence of global and U.S.-based piracy of copyright products, the U.S. economy lost $58 billion in total output in 2007.”
About the NMPA
Founded in 1917, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is the trade association representing American music publishers and their songwriting partners. The NMPA’s mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and songwriters in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights.