MPAA Chairman calls for alliance between U.S. & Indian film industries

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has kicked off its three day media and entertainment convention, FRAMES, which covers a wide range of media and entertainment sectors such as film, broadcast, digital entertainment, animation, gaming and visual effects. With over 2000 Indians and 800 foreign delegates, this yearly media convention is by far the largest media conventions in Asia.

Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) delivered the keynote address at the 2012 FICCI FRAMES leg today, with an audience of Indian government officials, film and entertainment industry leaders at the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai. The senator expressed his delight at the synergies being created between both communities and called for a greater alliance between the U.S and Indian film industries. Senator Dodd says, "Like America, India is a nation where movies matter and as in America, movies matter not only to the richness of your culture but to the vibrancy of your economy and the prosperity of the Indian middle class."

The senator commended the rapid evolution of India's cinema industry, he added "Two years ago the Indian film industry was pegged at US$3.2 billion industry, in 2014 it is estimated to exceed US$5 billion, which is incredible. The industry contributes an estimated US$645 million to the Indian economy each year and supports an estimated 1.8 million jobs, as the trade body for the Hollywood entertainment industry MPAA could not be more delighted."

Drawing attention to the threat of content theft to the industry he says, "According to a report by Ernst & Young, movie theft costs the Indian film industry nearly a billion dollars each year and threatens more than half million Indian jobs. I bring this up not to cast a shadow on your success but rather to invite you to join us in common purpose, content theft is a global problem and we must have a global commitment to solving it."

With a broad consensus that the community must act to stop theft of intellectual property, sufficient initiations are required to be in place. LA India Film Council is one such step. "We encourage the Indian film industry to reject as we have, the false argument that you cannot be pro-technology and pro-copyright at the same time and we applaud India's aggressive plans for broadband and cable TV digitization. This is an important opportunity for the Indian government to move forward with stron protections against online theft." Senator Dodd said.

"Technology evolves, economies change, but at the heart of what we do, is the timeless tradition of film, and that is why I am so proud to be a part of this industry and so pleased to share this occasion with you." Senator Dodd concluded.

MPAA Chairman calls for alliance between U.S. & Indian film industries