Film Theft in the UK
"Film piracy is the single largest threat facing the UK film industry today."
Nigel Green, Chairman, UK Film Council Anti-Piracy Task Force
Since the appearance of the videocassette in the 1970s, film piracy has been a major cause for concern in the film industry. In the UK today, it is a growing problem. The digital age has brought with it a startling array of threats and challenges. Film theft has more than doubled in the past year alone.1 If the film industry fails to address this trend now, it is certain to get even worse.
Every film distribution and exhibition company is familiar with the problem of film piracy. It directly undermines their revenues and threatens the very existence of their business. But the threat does not stop with them. Piracy also deprives rights holders of the revenues needed to fund future films, and to provide jobs in our industry. It is a problem which the whole industry must address, and quickly.
For this reason the UK Film Council has now established an Anti-Piracy Task Force from key stakeholders in the industry.
This group has now produced a report on the spread of piracy in the UK and how to combat it. The report, Film Theft in the UK, recommends tougher legislation, consumer education, rethinking business models, and preparing for alternative distribution methods such as via the internet.
This report, and more information on film piracy in the UK, can be obtained from the UK Film Council.
1 223% rise in films seized between 2002 and 2003. Source: Film Theft in the UK, UK Film Council, 2004
Nigel Green, Chairman, UK Film Council Anti-Piracy Task Force
Since the appearance of the videocassette in the 1970s, film piracy has been a major cause for concern in the film industry. In the UK today, it is a growing problem. The digital age has brought with it a startling array of threats and challenges. Film theft has more than doubled in the past year alone.1 If the film industry fails to address this trend now, it is certain to get even worse.
Every film distribution and exhibition company is familiar with the problem of film piracy. It directly undermines their revenues and threatens the very existence of their business. But the threat does not stop with them. Piracy also deprives rights holders of the revenues needed to fund future films, and to provide jobs in our industry. It is a problem which the whole industry must address, and quickly.
For this reason the UK Film Council has now established an Anti-Piracy Task Force from key stakeholders in the industry.
This group has now produced a report on the spread of piracy in the UK and how to combat it. The report, Film Theft in the UK, recommends tougher legislation, consumer education, rethinking business models, and preparing for alternative distribution methods such as via the internet.
This report, and more information on film piracy in the UK, can be obtained from the UK Film Council.
1 223% rise in films seized between 2002 and 2003. Source: Film Theft in the UK, UK Film Council, 2004
