"A2IM fully supports the PROTECT IP Act and applauds this action passed by the entire Senate Judiciary Committee. A2IM's consistent message has been that our members embrace new technology and we host numerous member-run events where members educate one another about ways to successfully adapt and maximize available revenues, but we also believe that the government should support creators' rights and promote the value of music as a vital contributor to the U.S. economy at home and abroad. Online IP theft has cost the independent music community millions of dollars, the loss of many jobs, and has negatively affected our export revenues. The PROTECT IP Act is crucial legislation and will, when passed by Congress and signed by the President, provide the level of enforcement needed to tackle this pervasive problem. This type of legislation will be of great help to the independent music label community - a group of small and medium size businesses located across our country - who need this type of protection to stay in business so that they can continue to create and invest in the diverse music they love. We're encouraged by the actions taken by Senators Patrick Leahy, Orrin Hatch and Chuck Grassley today, along with all members of the Judiciary Committee regarding PROTECT IP."
Rich Bengloff
President of A2IM
One of the music creator community's leading supporters, Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said: "protecting intellectual property is not uniquely a Democratic or a Republican priority - it should be a bipartisan priority."
Read Leahy's full release at:
http://leahy.senate.gov/press/press_releases/ ABOUT A2IM:
A2IM is a not-for-profit trade organization serving the Independent music community as a unified voice representing a sector that comprises over 30% of the music industry's market share in the United States (and almost 40% of SoundScan digital sales). The organization represents the Independents' interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. A2IM is headquartered in New York City.
As of July 4, 2011, the organization's board of directors will be composed of the following: Concord Music Group President Glen Barros; Sub Pop VP Business Affairs Eric Brown; tinyOGRE Entertainment COO Jim Cooperman; Warp Records US Label Manager Priya Dewan; Epitaph General Manager Dave Hansen; Yep Roc Records co-owner Tor Hansen; Alligator Records Founder/CEO Bruce Iglauer; The Beggars Group Founder/CEO Martin Mills; Kill Rock Stars President Portia Sabin; Tommy Boy CEO/Founder Tom Silverman; Razor & Tie COO Victor Zaraya.
For more information, or to become a member, please visit
www.A2IM.org.
