In a bold move to combat the rampant issue of film piracy, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) has unveiled its plan to collaborate with Congress in enacting site-blocking legislation in the United States. MPA Chairman and CEO, Charles Rivkin, made the announcement during the State of the Industry presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

During his impassioned speech, Rivkin emphasized the significant financial impact piracy has on theaters, claiming that it currently costs them an estimated $1 billion annually in box office revenue. The MPA aims to swiftly address this issue by implementing legislation similar to measures adopted by over 60 countries across the globe.

Rivkin declared that "site-blocking works" and expressed confidence that it would effectively decrease piracy. If the staggering $1 billion figure is accurate, the total global box office revenue could have reached $10 billion in 2023 instead of $9 billion.

Furthermore, Rivkin didn't hold back in his condemnation of those responsible for operating piracy websites, describing them as "real-life mobsters" involved in various illegal activities such as child pornography, prostitution, and drug trafficking.

The proposed legislation would empower various creative industries, including film and television, music and book publishers, sports leagues, and broadcasters, to legally request that internet service providers block access to websites dedicated to sharing illegal, stolen content. Rivkin assured that legitimate businesses would not be affected by these measures.

Rivkin specifically highlighted the example of Fmovies, one of the largest movie piracy sites worldwide. He revealed that a third of the site's traffic originates from the United States, possibly due to the absence of site-blocking measures implemented in other countries.

Addressing concerns raised during a previous fight over site-blocking measures in 2012, Rivkin dismissed claims that such legislation would infringe upon free speech rights. He argued that instances of free speech violations resulting from site-blocking measures are practically non-existent.

The landscape of film distribution has significantly evolved over the past few years, with streaming platforms and early availability on Premium Video-on-Demand (PVOD). This changing landscape has made pirated copies of films readily accessible online. Rivkin cited examples such as "Tenet" in 2020 and "Black Widow" in 2021, highlighting the ongoing challenge faced by major blockbuster releases.

While the proposed site-blocking legislation would not guarantee that individuals resorting to piracy would choose to purchase tickets at theaters or pay for movies through legitimate channels, the MPA remains committed to taking measures against these losses.

It is important to note that the topic of piracy presents nuances, such as filmmakers like Mike Flanagan expressing support for bootleg physical releases of their shows as a form of preservation. However, this issue is less prevalent in the case of big blockbuster movies.

The MPA's ambitious plan to work with Congress in enacting site-blocking legislation signifies a proactive stance to combat film piracy and protect the revenues of theaters and content creators. As the MPA pushes for future legislative actions, the battle against piracy continues with a renewed vigor.