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"DOWNLOADING JOBS"
The Script: "They're stealing American jobs. Internet criminals, using illegal foreign websites."
The Facts: More than 10.6 million people are employed in copyright industries. This means about one in ten private sector American workers depend on intellectual property for their jobs, retirement income and other benefits. [International Intellectual Property Alliance, press release, 11/2/11]
A 2007 study found that the theft of movies, music, packaged software and video games alone translates into 373,000 foregone jobs and $58 billion in lost economic output annually. [Stephen E. Siwek, "The True Cost Of Copyright Industry Piracy To The U.S. Economy," for The Institute For Policy Innovation, October 2007]
The Script: "They traffic in phony medications. Dangerous counterfeit goods and unsafe products."
The Facts: "'Make no mistake: [intellectual property] crimes are anything but victimless,' [Attorney General Eric] Holder said. 'For far too long, the sale of counterfeit, defective, and dangerous goods has been perceived as 'business as usual.' But these and other IP crimes can destroy jobs, suppress innovation, and jeopardize the health and safety of consumers. In some cases, these activities are used to fund dangerous – and even violent – criminal enterprises and organized crime networks. And they present a significant – and growing – threat to our nation's economic and national security.'" [The Hill, 11/29/11]
"Tainted medications from illegal online drug sellers have been found to contain dangerously high levels of arsenic, tin, aluminum and even rat poison." [Washington Times, Libby Baney op-ed, 11/10/11]
In March, the Senate Armed Services Committee began an investigation into the defense supply chain—including defense contractors and subcontractors—about the unknowing purchase of counterfeit components for such things as aircraft and missile systems, often through the Internet. So far, it has found over 1 million suspect counterfeit electronic parts that were purchased. More than 70% of the counterfeit parts originated in China. [Office of Senator Carl Levin, 11/7/11]
The Script: "Stolen movies, TV shows and music. They're stealing American ideas and innovation. And hundreds of thousands of American jobs."
The Facts: Over 2.2 million Americans are employed as a result of film and television production. Those jobs result in $137 billion dollars in wages to hard working, mostly middle class men and women each year.
A 2007 study found that the theft of movies, music, packaged software and video games alone translates into 373,000 foregone jobs and $58 billion in lost economic output annually. [Stephen E. Siwek, "The True Cost Of Copyright Industry Piracy To The U.S. Economy," for The Institute For Policy Innovation, October 2007]
The Script: "But we can stop them. Tell Congress to stop online piracy." Onscreen: "Support the Protect IP Act and the Stop Online Piracy Act."
The Facts: The Stop Online Piracy Act (H.R.3261) in the House and the PROTECT IP Act (S.968) in the Senate provide measured, needed tools to go after criminals, will preserve millions of American jobs and promote innovation and commerce on the Internet.
It would also make unauthorized media streaming an act of felony and hold the web publishers and hosting services responsible for curbing their users from posting copyright-infringed content.