Global Statement on Streaming Regulation and IP Protections – In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world are standing together to release a joint statement emphasising the key principles needed to ensure a sustainable future screen industry through the regulation of powerful digital streaming platforms.
Representing tens of thousands of screen industry businesses, our shared commitment is to demonstrate our unity of purpose and commitment towards ensuring the independence and viability of the global screen industry and the preservation of the cultural sovereignty of each nation.
The joint statement acknowledges that responding to the changes brought to screen business dynamics by digital streaming platforms is both a global challenge and local issue. Governments worldwide are taking steps to adapt and impose new regulations, recognising changed industry dynamics and the urgent need to act to protect local stories, creative work and the intellectual property generated.
The statement underscores the cultural and economic importance of local storytelling, recognising this as a strategic national asset to be cherished and protected. The commitment extends to ensuring that local audiences have access to a diverse range of newly created local stories across all platforms.
Moreover, the joint statement stresses the mutual cultural responsibility of digital platforms operating in local markets, emphasising the need for them to make fair and proportional contributions to the creation of new local content in the markets in which they receive revenue.
Central to these principles is the need for a healthy screen independent sector, encompassing development, production, distribution, and post-production. Governments are urged to address market failures and imbalances in commercial bargaining power, with a particular emphasis on recognising the critical role of independent screen businesses.
Most importantly, the joint statement calls for governments to recognise the growth opportunities tied to intellectual property (IP) protection. Independent screen businesses should own and/or retain control of their IP, ensuring financial participation in the success generated by their work on platforms—a crucial aspect of preserving a nation’s unique cultural heritage.
This isn’t just about regulations; it’s about safeguarding the heart and soul of our cultural narratives. As a united front, AECINE, Animation in Europe, AnimFrance, APCA, APFC, APIT, AQPM, CEPI, CMPA, EPC, FIPCA, FPS, PATE, Produzentenverband, SPA, SPADA, SPI, UPFF+, and USPA call on their governments to take decisive action in protecting local content and their intellectual property.
Download the statement here.
QUOTES FROM SPA, CEO, MATTHEW DEANER
“In Australia and many countries around the world, independent screen businesses are facing tough new market dynamics brought about by the global audience shift to digital streaming platforms.
“Our members have been telling us for some time that without intervention their financial viability and future existence cannot be taken for granted.
“As this global statement shows, Australian producers are not alone in this fight for survival. We welcome this expression of solidarity from around the world.
“With the Australian Government shortly to bring forward legislation to ensure streamers invest some small percentage of their Australian-derived revenue into making Australian stories, there has never been a better time also to address this critical issue brought about by the abuse of market power by streamers.
“Screen producers are increasingly unable to do business deals on fair terms with powerful digital platforms and therefore, cannot solve this problem on their own.
“That is why, like many others worldwide, SPA is calling on the Australian Government to recognise and protect the value of Australian creative intellectual property in screen stories.
“Our creative IP is what the screen industry produces. Ownership of it is the “value-add” to our industry from making screen stories. It’s important that the screen IP created by Australians, stays in the hands of Australian businesses and is not lost to mostly global streaming platforms.
“Coming up with a successful character or storyline means a screen business has created a valuable economic asset that can be leveraged several ways including for sequels, adaptations and other marketing and merchandising opportunities.
“You only have to look at the global phenomenon of the “Barbie” movie, which is all based on successfully leveraging the IP in a created character, to see the huge value of IP ownership.
“Australian screen producers are urging the Australian Government to recognise the value of our Australian creative screen IP and to help them build a strong and viable future for our industry.”
Media Release – SPA
Link to SPA HERE
Global Statement on Streaming Regulation and IP Protections
RelatedPosts
TV Central Screen Australia content HERE
Global Statement on Streaming Regulation and IP Protections
