MUMBAI: Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) chairman and CEO Dan Glickman joined lawmakers in calling for governments around the world to increase efforts to protect intellectual property (IP).

Glickman, appearing at a press conference with the co-chairs of the Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus (IAPC), noted that dealing with escalating IP theft is especially needed during these difficult economic times as the creative industries generate millions of jobs each year, including 2.5 million jobs created by the motion picture industry alone.

“During tough economic times it becomes even clearer how important it is to protect those industries that are truly creating jobs and generating revenue. I appreciate the efforts of IAPC Chairmen Sheldon Whitehouse, Orrin Hatch, Adam Schiff and Bob Goodlatte as they recognize that our future place in the world will be determined less by the sweat of our brows and more by the value created with our minds – and that value is worth protecting,” Glickman said.

The IAPC members released the Caucus’ 2009 Priority Watch List which highlights five countries where piracy has reached alarming levels. This year the group identified Canada, China, Mexico, Russia and Spain.

Canada has appeared on the IAPC Priority Watch List for several years and last month was elevated to the United States Trade Representative’s Special 301 Report’s Priority Watch List, as well. Glickman said it is important to draw attention to the fact that Canada is lagging behind other organization for economic co-operation and development countries on its response to the tremendous technological changes that have occurred over the past decade as well as in facilitating a legitimate market for digital content to flourish. Glickman also pointed to Spain, where Internet piracy continues to go unchecked, resulting in harm not only to US creators but also to Spanish artists.

“The US motion picture industry is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to deliver creative content to consumers, particularly over the Internet. It is extremely important that US trading partners have effective legislative frameworks for protecting creative content online and that they enforce IP rights in the digital environment,” Glickman said.