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RIAA Comment on Upcoming Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement Signing

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WASHINGTON – The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative recently confirmed that the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is scheduled to be signed this Saturday at a ceremony in Tokyo, Japan.  Below is a comment from Neil Turkewitz, Executive Vice President, International, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on the signing:

“We salute the various ACTA negotiators for having the will and vision to come to an agreement on a set of enforcement principles which underscore the importance of enhancing the fight against piracy and counterfeiting globally.  Policymakers around the globe have increasingly come to recognize the damaging impact of piracy on cultural and economic development, and ACTA represents a step in the evolution towards a global response to the problem.  Fueling creativity through the establishment of an environment that allows creators to earn a living through their craft must be a global priority—and one that joins rather than divides societies.  We are witnessing a sea-change in the level of understanding of the importance of these issues, and we thank USTR and the other ACTA negotiators for helping to advance this important cause.”

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The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States.

In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conduct consumer, industry and technical research; and monitor and review state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA® also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi- Platinum™ and Diamond sales awards as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, an award celebrating Latin music sales.

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