MPAA and RIAA Join Internet2

MPAA and RIAA Join Internet2

Motion Picture and Recording Industry Associations to Collaborate with Consortium to Study Advanced Content Distribution Technologies

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Internet2, the foremost U.S. advanced networking consortium led by the research and higher education community, today announced that the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) joined Internet2 as corporate members. Both leading industry associations plan to collaborate with the Internet2 community to consider innovative content distribution and digital rights management technologies, and to study emerging trends on high-performance networks to enable future business models.

"Internet2 networking is an incredibly exciting tool for researchers, technologists and many others interested in developing new technologies, policies and business models for the next generation. Its value now and potential in the future are extraordinary, and we are very pleased to join this diverse community," said Cary Sherman, president of the RIAA. "We look forward to collaborative work with a broad spectrum of Internet2's members to develop new technologies that will enable us to produce and distribute digital content over next generation networks in ways that protect and enhance the value of creative works."

One of the prime values of the advanced network infrastructure the Internet2 community has deployed is that it represents the leading-edge of Internet technology and therefore provides a window into the potential of the future of the Internet. Internet2 provides MPAA and RIAA an innovative testbed for examining future networking and secure distribution capabilities not possible on today's commercial Internet. The associations are reviewing the working groups and special interest groups within the Internet2 framework to determine the best opportunities for collaboration.

Dan Glickman, president of MPAA said, "The movie industry is committed to working with the technology sector to find innovative new ways to deliver entertainment to consumers. The MPAA views this partnership with Internet2 as an important opportunity for collaboration as we seek to link new delivery models with content protection. The MPAA and its member companies have a wide- range of expertise in both areas, and I believe we can add a positive, constructive perspective to the excellent work of Internet2."

Douglas Van Houweling, president and CEO of Internet2 added, "Internet2 provides the MPAA and the RIAA with unique access to the research and education community, which shares their interest in developing secure leading- edge content distribution technologies. Together with the RIAA and MPAA, the Internet2 community is leading the way in helping to shape new business models for the future of the music and movie industries as consumers and businesses alike continue to rapidly adopt Internet technologies to receive these products and services."

About Internet2

Led by more than 200 U.S. universities working with industry and government, Internet2 develops and deploys advanced network applications and technologies for research and higher education, accelerating the creation of tomorrow's Internet. Internet2 recreates the partnerships among academia, industry, and government that helped foster today's Internet in its infancy. For more information, visit: http://www.internet2.edu/.

About MPAA

The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. These members include: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.; Paramount Pictures; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal Studios from Universal City Studios; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

About RIAA

The Recording Industry Association of America is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members' creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA(R) members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conduct consumer industry and technical research; and monitor and review - - state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA(R) also certifies Gold(R), Platinum(R), Multi-Platinum(TM), and Diamond sales awards, as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino(TM), an award celebrating Latin music sales.

Source: Internet2

CONTACT: Lauren Kallens of Internet2, +1-202-331-5345; Gayle Osterberg of MPAA, +1-202-293-1966; or Jonathan Lamy, Jenni Engebretsen, or Amanda Hunter, +1-202-775-0101, all of RIAA

Web site: http://www.internet2.edu/

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