There are many legislative and regulatory proposals that could impact the home video industry in some way. EMA prioritizes issues for action based on the Association's mission and strategic objectives, the potential impact on our members, the ability of EMA to impact the debate, and the extent of consensus within our membership on a position.
The following are priority legislative issues for EMA:
Right to Rent: EMA strongly supports the "first sale" doctrine of copyright law, which gives retailers the right to rent videos without the authorization of the copyright holder and thus provide affordable, quality entertainment to millions of consumers.
First Amendment: EMA opposes any proposal that would restrict the First Amendment rights of the home video industry and its customers.
Media Violence: EMA opposes efforts to scapegoat the entertainment industry for violence in American society and to criminalize the sale or rental of videos and video games that contain depictions of violence.
Ratings:While facilitating voluntary industry enforcement of the motion picture and video game rating systems, EMA opposes government mandates for the use or enforcement of any entertainment rating system.
Piracy:EMA supports efforts to strengthen and enforce laws against illegal interception, copying, and distribution of video products.
Rental Theft:EMA supports proposals to provide explicit recognition of the crime of "theft of video rental property" and establish procedures for prosecution.
Fee Limits: EMA opposes laws to unduly limit the amount that retailers can charge customers for extended rentals or lost or damaged rental videos.
Taxation: EMA opposes legislation that would single out video sales and rentals for discriminatory taxation.
