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MPAA Considers Major Changes After Sony Hack
Earthquake Retrofit shares this story about changes that may be coming to the MPAA prompted by the Sony hack. "Fissures revealed by the hacking at Sony Pictures Entertainment have raised the prospect of profound change at one of Hollywood's oldest institutions: the Motion Picture Association of America. In a behind-the-scenes drama, the Sony Pictures chairman, Michael Lynton, last month told industry colleagues of a plan to withdraw from the movie trade organization, according to people who have been briefed on the discussions. He cited the organization’s slow response and lack of public support in the aftermath of the attack on Sony and its film The Interview, as well as longstanding concerns about the cost and efficacy of the group. Reversing course in mid-January, as the Oscar nominations were being announced, Mr. Lynton stayed in. But he and other studio executives are now discussing proposals that could alter the structure, mandate and governance of a 93-year-old organization that has been the policy front for Hollywood’s major film studios."
Disbanding is the only postive change the MPAA could make, IMHO.
From the sound of it Sony wants a Meaner and leaner attack dog that does more damage and costs less.
What value does the MPAA possibly offer that could come anywhere close to commanding such regal sums annually?
Lobbying. And the MPAA has done a tremendous job, which is why all of Disney's characters are still under copyright half a century after Disney died, and nearly a century after they were first created. $20 million from each of the 6 big studios is a pittance in return. FTA:
Under tightened government ethics rules, the building’s screening room [MPAA's in Washington DC], though still active, is no longer the scene of lavish movie-and-dinner nights that were once popular with lawmakers.
So they had a "lavish" theater where they would wine and dine lawmakers, and most certainly let lawmakers rub elbows with A-list celebrities, over the decades before more stringent rules were put in place. You bet that influenced laws that keep extending copyright in favor of the MPAAs constituents.
Better known as 318230.
We already have enough DRM, region coding, forced commercials on our blu-rays and DVD's, etc. to annoy our OWN customers. Why do we need the MPAA harassing them too, when we do it so well already?
SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
I always thought that Sony's acquisition of Columbia Pictures and CBS Records were long-term colossal mistakes.
Old Sony: made cool stuff, fought tooth and nail for consumer rights (example: the Betamax case that went to the Supreme Court).
New Sony: all about DRM and lock-in, fights tooth and nail against consumer rights.
I liked the old Sony better.
Oh, no! You have walked into the slavering fangs of a lurking grue!