ESA, MPA Join For Malaysian Anti-Piracy Efforts

The Entertainment Software Association has announced a partnership with the Motion Picture Association, marking the first collaboration between the two companies to combat game piracy. Both associations will pool their resources to address widespread infringement on intellectual property rights in Malaysia. The joint announcement was made during the launch of Operation Games Attack, an enforcement initiative in Malaysia aimed at the local production and distribution of illegal copies of entertainment software, with Malaysia's Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in attendance. In addition to enforcement efforts carried out by the Malaysian government against optical disc piracy, ESA and MFACT, which represents the MPA in Malaysia, note they will work together on anti-piracy training and other activities related to their enforcement efforts. For example, the two organizations recently held a seminar for officials representing the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to introduce them to ESA member companies’ products. ESA president Michael D. Gallagher said, “The ESA focuses resources where we save U.S. jobs, enhance the value of the video game industry, and get results. Piracy penalizes investment and harms the ability of video game companies to make great games." He continued, "We are proud to partner with MPA on this program which will protect investment, innovation, and job creation -- as well as build a strong foundation for expanded trade with Malaysia.”