AFL-CIO supports coalition fighting for anti-piracy bill

AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest labor federation, on Tuesday announced its support for a coalition pushing for an online copyright bill.

The coalition Creative America includes other unions such as the Screen Actors Guild, as well as major entertainment studios. The group is lobbying Congress to pass the Protect IP Act, which would give law enforcement expanded powers to shut down websites “dedicated to” copyright or trademark infringement.

Critics of the bill argue it would allow the government to censor websites and could stifle innovation. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in May, but Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has placed a hold on it to prevent a vote in the full Senate.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet, is expected to introduce a House version in the coming weeks.

Creative America announced Tuesday that it was launching a new national campaign to educate people about the effects of copyright infringement. The group said websites that offer stolen content receive 146 million visits daily, and more than 500,000 movies are distributed illegally every day.

“The message that Creative America is imparting to members of the entertainment community and all who value American creativity and innovation is that content theft is not a victimless crime,” said Mike Nugent, executive director of Creative America.

The Association of Talent Agents, the Copyright Alliance, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., FilmL.A., the National Association of Theatre Owners, the Producers Guild of America and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society also announced their support for the coalition Tuesday.

This post was updated on Oct. 19 at 8:14 a.m.

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