CISAC World Copyright Summit Focuses on ‘Creating Value in the Digital Economy’

The CISAC World Copyright Summit, held June 7-8 in Brussels, Belgium, was keyed to theme of “creating value in the digital economy.” The event brought together a broad cross-section of the creative community, including songwriters, composers, authors, film directors, screenwriters, photographers, visual artists, painters and others, who were treated to a series of panels and speakers who addressed the future of the creative community and the entertainment business in the digital economy.

Keynote speakers included Victoria Espinel, the White House’s Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, who cited the need for “functioning and enforced intellectual property laws.” Ms. Espinel spoke at length about the challenges presented by the Internet, noting that, “ … we’re at our best when we work together to develop creative, practical and efficient solutions that promote innovation and protect the foundation that enables the Internet to fulfill its promise.”

Copyright Alliance board member Fred Cannon, BMI’s Senior Vice President, Government Relations, said, “It is a point of pride for us that senior U.S. government officials like Ms. Espinel are given a global stage in the creative community. Ms. Espinel gave an impressive and passionate account today of the positive steps the Obama Administration is taking to support enforcement of copyright. The discussion was well-received by international delegates, who were impressed with her resolve and commitment to the protection of intellectual property.”

Read the full text of Ms. Espinel’s speech. See an interview with Ms. Espinel in The New York Times, read Ms. Espinel’s June 22 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee