The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is once again taking a stand against piracy, as announced by MPA CEO Charles Rivkin during CinemaCon in Las Vegas.
Rivkin revealed the organization's intention to collaborate with Congress to implement regulations aimed at blocking websites hosting pirated content.
MPA's Stance on Piracy
As a trade association representing major Hollywood studios such as Paramount, Sony, Universal, and Disney, the MPA has persistently advocated for anti-piracy legislation.
According to The Verge's report, Rivkin explained the detrimental impact of piracy on the US economy, citing its purported role in the loss of "hundreds of thousands of jobs" and "more than one billion in theatrical ticket sales."
Escalating Piracy Concerns
Recent data underscores the escalating threat of piracy, with a report from piracy analytics firm Muso revealing a significant surge in visits to video piracy websites worldwide.
In 2023 alone, these websites recorded a staggering 141 billion visits, marking a 12 percent increase from 2019. The United States and India emerged as the primary contributors to this surge in piracy activities.
MPA Wants to Block Websites With Pirated Content
Rivkin's proposed solution to combat piracy revolves around preventing users from accessing piracy websites altogether. This approach mirrors previous endeavors, notably the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) initiated in 2012 with MPA's involvement.
"Site-blocking is a targeted, legal tactic to disrupt the connection between digital pirates and their intended audience," Rivkin says.
SOPA aimed to restrict access to platforms hosting pirated content but faced staunch opposition due to concerns regarding its potential infringement on free speech rights.
Why Critics Hate the Passing of Failed Anti-Piracy Law
While MPA remains steadfast in its pursuit of anti-piracy measures, critics have raised objections to its proposed tactics.
Katharine Trendacosta, a director of policy and advocacy at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, criticized MPA's approach, stating that it contradicts the organization's purported commitment to upholding the First Amendment. Concerns regarding potential censorship and stifling of free expression persist, echoing sentiments voiced during the SOPA debacle.
MPA's renewed efforts to combat piracy are likely to encounter resistance from internet users and advocacy groups. Past protests against SOPA underscore the internet community's staunch opposition to restrictive measures that could impede online freedoms. The prospect of renewed activism and widespread backlash looms large should MPA's initiatives progress to legislative action.
Going after websites promoting pirated content requires a thorough process to crack them down. We have seen the proposal fail in the past, but there might be a valid reason why it's surfacing again. The increasing trend of video piracy could dictate a different result this time.
In other news, Warner Bros Discovery said that HBO Max is coming to Europe on May 21. It is expected to debut ahead of the summer Olympics in Paris, France.
