Piracy Legislation

The theft of copyrighted motion pictures, also known as piracy, resulting in total industry losses estimated at $3 billion annually. The negative impact on the economy is considerable and threatens the livelihood of the tens of thousands of actors and others employed by the entertainment industry. Actors, specifically, do not receive residual payments when their movies are pirated – and that well-earned money is what allows the average actor to make ends meet in between jobs. One illegally obtained movie can be mass-produced and cause multi-million dollar damage.

Screen Actors Guild fights vigorously on federal, state and international levels to pass anti-piracy measures. While various methods and penalties are implemented, all of the measures are designed to create a significant deterrence to thieves who so freely steal, manufacture and distribute illegally obtained movies.

Please check the Legislative Map to see what kind of protections may be in place in your state.