Streaming platforms may face stricter regulation and be required to loosen their control over intellectual property, as film and TV producers’ trade organizations worldwide call on governments to take action. In a global statement, about 20 groups, including Australia’s Screen Producers Association and Germany’s Produzentenverband, are urging governments to secure regulations that ensure the sustainability of the industry and protect cultural sovereignty.
Strengthening Local Content and IP Rights
The producers’ groups highlight two key principles: first, all platforms benefiting financially from the local market should contribute proportionally to the creation of new local content for local audiences. Secondly, independent screen businesses should own or retain control over their intellectual property, including the right to financially benefit from their work. They emphasize that the majority of investments should support projects controlled by independent screen businesses.
Furthermore, the organizations urge governments to acknowledge the significance of local stories and the companies that tell them. By doing so, they can tackle market failure and address imbalances in bargaining power between independent producers and streaming platforms.
Challenges Faced by the Industry
The call for action comes at a time when streaming services have disrupted traditional TV, prompting major entertainment corporations to shift their focus toward direct-to-consumer services. While these platforms experienced rapid growth in subscribers during the pandemic, they are now cutting back on content commissioning to achieve profitability. Consequently, many countries see multinational streaming giants as a threat to local culture, local-language production, and independent production companies.
Last year, screenwriters and actors’ guilds in North America engaged in strikes and stoppages to secure residual payments for their work on streaming platforms. Similarly, independent screen businesses in Australia and around the world face new market dynamics due to the global shift to digital streaming. Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner emphasizes the importance of protecting creative intellectual property, ensuring it remains in the hands of Australian businesses and is not lost to global streaming platforms.
The Way Forward
Australia has been actively debating the obligation for streamers to reinvest in local content, and legislation addressing this issue is expected. Screen Producers Australia advocates for the incorporation of intellectual property ownership protection into the law.
The collective plea from film and TV producers’ trade organizations highlights the need for balanced regulation and IP protection. As governments consider these calls to action, the future of the industry, cultural sovereignty, and the preservation of local storytelling are at stake.
Source: Variety.com