Hollywood studios show concern over pirated movies on Georgian websites

The rights association of Warner Bros, Universal, Sony Pictures, Disney and other leading Hollywood studios is concerned about the high number of pirated films on Georgian websites. Stan McCoy, President of the Motion Picture Association of America's Office for Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, addressed a formal letter to Genadi Lobzhanidze, the Chief Executive Officer of National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia Sakpatenti, which sets forth the intellectual property policy in the country.

In the letter, McCoy writes that Georgia is illegally showing products of their association’s studios on the internet. According to the document, Hollywood is concerned that pirated films and TV series are widespread on the Georgian internet. The Motion Picture Association of America names specific websites that distribute Hollywood products illegally.

"Reducing piracy remains a top priority for us, and enforcement is a necessary and important step towards achieving this. Adjaranet.com and imovies.cc in Georgia show MPAA member films without their consent, which is a major problem," said a letter sent by McCoy.

The letter also notes that Mr. McCoy supports the establishment of an anti-piracy center in Georgia that will oversee such cases.

“We welcome the establishment of the “Anti-Piracy Center in Georgia”, which will focus on safeguarding throughout their Georgian theatrical release cycle and address the growing issue of online piracy,” reads the letter.

The biggest players in the Georgian online streaming market - Imovies.ge and Adjaranet.com have released a joint statement in response to a letter sent to Sakpatenti by the Regional Director of the MPAA. Georgian websites say that Russian pirate websites are creating a real problem in the country. Imovies.ge and Adjaranet.com request blocking of these Russian websites in Georgia.

“It is very important to block Russian, pirated movie portals operating on the territory of Georgia to properly execute the process, so Georgian companies that pay taxes to the Georgian budget can have the opportunity and motivation to buy legal films and TV series,” reads the statement.

These two companies also highlight the fact that they have always respected other Georgian channels and never streamed their content illegally, but they are also surprised that the channels themselves were not targeting Russian pirating websites.

“We recognize the rights of any Georgian company to their proprietary content, for years we have not placed illegally attained products on our web sites, precisely because all of their rights have been fully protected, although surprisingly the same companies have not taken any steps against Russian pirated websites for so long,” is said in the statement.

The statement also said that the Georgian sites are negotiating with leading foreign studios and are planning to acquire films and TV series legally.

Adjaranet.com and imovies.cc are Georgian websites distributing films and tv series. Motion Picture Association of America was founded 97 years ago, bringing together five leading studios - Disney, Netflix, LLC; Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal City Studios and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.