1Sen. Chris Dodd National Association of Attorneys General Panel on Campus Piracy Monday, March 5, 2012 It’s an honor to introduce this panel on campus piracy today. I’d like to personally thankWashington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, not only for this kind invitation, but for everything that he, you, and the National Association of Attorneys General have done to help advance the battle against online content theft and counterfeiting. I’d also like to recognize the panelists today: My industry colleague, Rick Cotton, NBCUniversal. Larry Conrad, University of North Carolina; and Joseph Storch, State University of New YorkAs we discuss the problems posed by online piracy and counterfeiting –there is an important fundamental truth to remember about our business, the film and T.V. business; Hollywood is pro-internet. We are pro-innovation. Our business i s built on innovation. Just look at IMAX, 3- D, instant streaming and video on demand –to name just a few. I believe it is critically important that any solution to the pirac y problem protect a free and open internet and continue to foster cutting-edge innovation. It is also clear that any overall solution will need to include a plan of action at our na tion’s colleges and universities. Congress recognized this in 2008 with passage of the Higher Education Opportunities Act (HEOA), which requires institutions of higher learning to reduce digital content theft on their own university networks.
