Partnership - The key to protecting the creative industries

Partnership between government, industry and law enforcement is the key to tackling issues creative industries face in the digital age said David Lammy, Minister of State for Intellectual Property in the UK, when he addressed the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in Washington today.

The creative industries are big business and are major contributors to the US and British economies, earning them $71 billion and $19 billion each year respectively.

In times of global economic uncertainty creative industries are a key asset and will help ensure economic success in both the short and long term, provided they give consumers the content they desire.

David Lammy wants to see the US and UK working together to help the industry continue to flourish in both countries.

UK Film Industry research indicates that film and TV industries lost almost a billion dollars in 2007 alone through piracy.

He stressed infringers are depriving creators of the rewards they deserve, but the industry needs to offer consumers what they want and provide attractive alternatives to pirated films.

David Lammy said:

"For the American and British movie industries, the challenge of the 21st century isn’t persuading people to watch movies. That demand is there already. It’s making sure those who do watch movies are paying customers rather than pirates.

"I want to see government, industry and the law enforcement community working together to ensure we find effective tailored solutions to the different challenges that piracy brings us.

"Britain is good at enforcing copyright. Partnerships between enforcement agencies, government and industry are yielding good results: in fact, convictions for IP offences have tripled between 2002 and 2007.

"However rights holders should not be relying on the threat of legal action to force people into buying their products, rather we should be looking for changes in consumer behaviour and the way we meet the changing needs of these consumers.

"Partnership and innovation by businesses can help consumers understand the problems illegal downloads cause creators and performers, giving them the knowledge and confidence they need to act within the law.

"If we provide the right combination of enforcement, education and forward- looking policy we can build a culture that provides consumers with legitimate access to the content they want."

For enquiries about the Intellectual Property Office press or media activities please contact James Thomson on +44 (0) 20 7596 6547 or Katie Phillips on +44 (0) 1633 814326

Notes to editors

• The Intellectual Property Office is within the Department for Business, Innovation, Universities and Skills and responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.
• Its role is to help manage an IP system that encourages innovation and creativity, balances the needs of consumers and users, promotes strong and competitive markets and is the foundation of the knowledge based economy.
• It operates in a national and an international environment and its work is governed by national and international law, including various international treaties relating to IP to which the United Kingdom is a party.
• Please see David Lammy’s full speech to the Motion Picture Association of America (47Kb)

Date of release: 3 September 2009