Entertainment Craft Industry Joint Statement on Internet Theft

April 4, 2011

A joint statement was released today at a Congressional press conference by The 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) regarding illegal appropriation of content delivered over the internet.

“Professional content is a driving force behind the massive popularity of the Internet.  Our members, who have always been on the forefront of technological innovation, embrace the possibilities of the digital age and the many opportunities offered by new technologies.  However, along with the explosive growth of the Internet has come an equally explosive proliferation of profiteers who knowingly traffic in content they have obtained illegally and played no role at all in creating or financing.

“These profiteers turn a blind eye to the looting of one of the strongest American industries and contribute nothing to our economy or our culture. And they – most of whom do not create jobs themselves – are willing to sacrifice the jobs of our members and the thousands of others who depend on the entertainment industry to make a living.”

Please read the full statement here.

We thank the entertainment industry’s craft trades for reinforcing the point that intellectual property theft negatively affects a broad range of supporting artists and their families.