White House declines MPAA's call to hold piracy summit

The White House appeared to brush back a suggestion from the Motion Picture Association of America on Friday that the president step in on negotiations over controversial online piracy legislation.

MPAA Chairman and former Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) suggested Thursday that the White House would be the perfect place to convene a summit between Hollywood and the tech industry, which are at odds over a pair of online piracy bills that were shelved by congressional leadership Friday morning following massive protests earlier in the week.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said the Obama administration has made its position clear on the issue and appeared to dismiss the suggestion in a press briefing on Friday. The White House expressed concern about the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act last week, adding fuel to the growing opposition.

"It’s important for both sides on this issue to come together and work out that solution that both deals with online piracy and continues to ensure a free and open Internet. And we think that’s possible," Carney said.

"But I think this is a legislative process that folks on the Hill can take up, working with those with strong opinions on both sides of the issue."

Both SOPA and PIPA appear to be postponed indefinitely due to concerns they would result in censorship and stifle innovation online. The movie studios, along with the recording industry and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have been lobbying furiously on behalf of the legislation in recent years.

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