Video Retailers bring Filmmakers to fight against Piracy; Had To Be Made Will Manage Competition to Create Most-Effective PSAs

LOS ANGELES (Video Software Dealers Association/ www.vsda.org) - Expanding the efforts to educate the public about the problem and consequences of movie piracy, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) today announced a competition for filmmakers to create innovative anti-piracy public service announcements. In making the announcement, VSDA President Bo Andersen noted that the contest will be managed by Had To Be Made Films.

The anti-piracy PSA contest, titled "Project: FAIR (Filmmaker Against Illegal Reproduction)," can be found at www.projectfair.com. It will invite filmmakers to create public service announcements that speak out against motion picture theft in ways that will resonate with teenagers and young adults, who are most likely to engage in illegal downloading of movies. VSDA will begin taking submissions in January. The submissions will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges, and the winners will be announced at VSDA's Home Entertainment 2005, to be held July 26-28, 2005 at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Winners will receive prizes and have their PSAs played in video stores across the country. They also will be feted at an awards ceremony during VSDA's Home Entertainment 2005.
"VSDA estimates that the average video store in America loses approximately $10,000 per year in rentals because of Internet-based piracy," Andersen said. "A key element of the strategy to confront this growing threat to our industry is to educate the public and change the culture from one of lawlessness to one of respect for the work of others."

VSDA's anti-piracy strategy consists of educating the public, advocating more effective anti-piracy laws, supporting vigorous enforcement of the laws, and providing consumers with multiple competitive, lawful alternatives to video piracy.
The anti-piracy PSA contest will complement other public education programs, which include a recently announced initiative to play anti-piracy trailers and display anti-piracy posters in video stores and the Association's ongoing effort to encourage motion picture studios to include anti-piracy trailers on DVDs.