| Contacts: | Jennifer Pareti tel: 703-907-7079 e-mail: jpareti@CE.org |
Megan Pollock tel: 703-907-7668 e-mail: mpollock@CE.org |
CEA BACKS DIGITAL FREEDOM CAMPAIGN TO REAFFIRM TECHNOLOGY RIGHTS FOR LAWFULLY ACQUIRED CONTENT
Supports Consumer Fair Use; Questions why MPAA and RIAA Resist Consumers Knowing Their Rights and Being Heard on Issue
| Arlington, Virginia | 10/25/2006 |
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) President and CEO Gary Shapiro issued the following statement of support for the newly launched Digital Freedom campaign (www.digitalfreedom.org):
"This is a historic day as we join with consumers, artists and innovators to launch the Digital Freedom campaign. CEA is supporting the Digital Freedom campaign because it's time to reassert consumers' rights when it comes to new digital technologies. It's time to inform consumers about what they can do with these innovative devices rather than intimidating, threatening and even suing them - the egregious tactic the big record labels and movie studios have taken.
"The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) ads and statements released today about the Digital Freedom campaign suggest that consumers should not have their voices heard. More, they imply that CEA is promoting piracy. The Digital Freedom campaign is a broad group of innovators, artists and consumers promoting the concept that consumers should know and understand their fair use rights.
"The content community's effort to deny the existence of these rights is apparent on the MPAA website, which states, 'Piracy is the unauthorized taking, copying or use of copyrighted materials without permission.' This statement emphasizes the point of the campaign. Exercising fair use rights is not piracy. Consumers have fair use rights with lawfully acquired content. Branding them as pirates and spreading fear of lawsuits is not helping consumers who want to use digital technology to create new works.
"This campaign isn't advocating piracy or stealing, as voices from the opposition suggest. It's a campaign to educate the public and lawmakers about consumer fair use rights and what you can do with technology. CEA is proud to be part of the Digital Freedom campaign - a campaign already supported by various artists, creators and consumer groups."
ABOUT CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer
technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and
strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development,
manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline
communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related
services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $125 billion in
annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive
source for information about the consumer electronics industry. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES
- Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical
training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative
advocacy.