THE CULT - DGA DECRIES PROPOSED FRENCH LAWS PERMITTING P2P DOWNLOADS

In an unusual step for an American union or guild, the Directors Guild of America has announced its opposition to legislation being proposed in France. The new laws would substantially legalize the downloading of movies via peer-to-peer websites. In a letter of support sent to four organizations that represent French film directors, writers, producers and editors, DGA President Michael Apted wrote that the proposed French law would have the effect of legalizing piracy. "Can directors survive when their films are exploited in ways that rob them of their livelihood?" Apted asked in the letter. "Will producers invest in work that risks being mass distributed before it even reaches the screen? But if filmmaking goes into decline, it won't only be us who are the losers but the culture and society that is the source of our inspiration."

11/04/2006