The Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA), the association of all major studios in Hollywood, has signed an agreement with Tollywood (the Telugu film industry) to work in the area of protection of intellectual property rights.

Mr Bike Robinson (Global Enforcement Officer) and Mr Edward Neubronner (Regional Operations Director) represented the MPAA. Mr D Suresh Babu of Suresh Productions represented the AP Film Chamber of Commerce

Tollywood, a leading film producer in India, lost about Rs 338 crore in 2010 due to Internet piracy alone. This is growing at an annual rate of 65 per cent despite the fact that Internet penetration is just 9.5 per cent.

Losses due to other ways of piracy too are very high. This had prompted the Telugu industry to establish an anti-piracy cell at the chamber.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, said such a tie-up would help the industry as a whole.

(Source: The Hindu Business Line)