March 14, 2011
On Monday, March 14, the DGA was honored to host Frédéric Mitterrand, Culture & Communication Minister of France, for an intimate lunch and discussion of our many shared bonds with the French artistic community, including a dedication to fighting the ravages of Internet theft.
Minister Mitterrand and his delegation were welcomed by DGA President Taylor Hackford, who underscored the longstanding and mutual respect for artistic endeavor shared by France and the DGA, including the founding 15 years ago of the Franco-American Cultural Fund which sponsors, among other activities, the City of Lights, City of Angels French Film Festival, now the second largest French film festival in the world. Hackford noted that Secretary-Treasurer Gil Cates is one of the DGA board members of the FACF and that National Executive Director Jay D. Roth was named a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur by President Sarkozy in 2009 in part for his support of the relations between French and American filmmakers and his role in helping to create the Fund and City of Lights, City of Angels.
Hackford also thanked the Minister for his country’s role in leading the way in the fight against Internet theft with the passage of the Creation and Internet law in 2009, which implemented an education and graduated response warning system for those who repeatedly upload or download content illegally despite notification. “You showed other governments that creativity and content are cultural and economic assets that should be protected,” Hackford said.
Minister Mitterrand said people in France now understand that liberty and protection of intellectual property go hand in hand. He likened the issue to driving a car. “People have the freedom to drive their cars, but there are rules of the road. For instance, you cannot speed and you cannot drive under the influence – if you do, there are consequences. It is the same with a civilized Internet.”
The Minister noted that several other European countries are fighting their own internal battles against Internet theft. He reminded the group that 20 years ago, much of the public didn’t listen when people advocated on behalf of the environment. Gradually, with education and continued discussion, people began to understand how important it was to protect the environment – and with repeated messaging, the Minister said, people will grow to understand the importance of protecting creative content on the Internet as well.
This was the first official visit to Los Angeles by a French Minister of Culture in more than 30 years. The DGA was one of the few organizations with whom the Minister met during his brief trip to Los Angeles.