MUMBAI: The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) applauded Canadian Government’s introduction of a bill in the House of Commons to criminalize the illegal recording of films in Canadian movie theaters.

“We know that all it takes is one good camcord to trigger the mass reproduction and distribution of millions of illegal downloads and bootlegs in global street markets just hours after a film’s release,” said MPAA chairman and CEO Dan Glickman.

“Camcord piracy is the most significant threat facing film industries all over the world. The introduction of this crucial legislation today by ministers Oda, Nicholson and Bernier demonstrates the profound responsibility of legislators worldwide to protect their local film industries and economies from the damage caused by camcord piracy,” he added.

Camcord thieves are at the top of the piracy pyramid supplying more than 90 per cent of newly released movies that end up on the Internet and on the streets. Canada has been a major and growing source of camcorded films. In 2006, Canadian movie theaters were the source of approximately 20-25 per cent of all illegally-camcorded MPAA member company films that have appeared either online or as a pirated DVD.

The worldwide motion picture industry, including foreign and domestic producers, distributors, theaters, video stores and pay-per-view operators lost $18.2 billion (MPAA member companies lost $6.1 billion) in 2005 as a result of piracy.