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July 23 – July 30, 2009 Edition

Copyright Industries Key to Economy, Report Says

WASHINGTON DC/07/20/09–The Association of American Publishers (AAP) joined by other representatives of the U.S. copyright industries and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke today, released a new report highlighting the importance of the copyright industries to the US economy.

The report, Copyright Industries in the US Economy: The 2003-2007 Report, was prepared under the auspices of the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) and was released today at a press conference at the US Department of Commerce. The work stresses the continuing and increasingly valuable economic contributions of these creative industries.

These are among the highlights released by Tom Allen, president and CEO of the AAP:

In 2007, the value added by the "core" copyright industries was $889.1 billion, approximately 6.44 percent of the US Gross Domestic product (GDP). In 2006-2007, the core copyright industries contributed 22.74 percent of the real growth achieved for the US economy as a whole. Nearly 5.6 million workers were employed by core copyright industries in 2007 and the average compensation paid to these workers ($73,554) exceeded the US average by 30 percent. Collectively, the US core copyright industries achieved annual increases in foreign sales and exports of 5.8 percent in 2006 and 8.4 percent in 2007

The report was prepared by economist Stephen E. Siwek utilizing data from official US government sources, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

"Well-paying jobs are a critical component of our economic recovery and growth and the copyright industries are providing those jobs. Now, more than ever, we need strong intellectual property protection at home, abroad, and in cyberspace to support our creative industries," Mr. Allen said.

Other copyright industry representatives who joined with Mr. Allen at the briefing were: Robert Holleyman II, (Business Software Alliance); Jean Prewitt, (Independent Film & Television Alliance); Dan Glickman, (Motion Picture Association of America); David Israelite, (National Music Publishers’ Association); and Mitch Bainwol, (Recording Industry Association of America).

To view the complete version of Copyright Industries in the US Economy: the 2003-2007 and learn more about the IIPA, please visit www.iipa.com.

The Association of American Publishers is the national trade association of the US book publishing industry. AAP’s more than 300 members include most of the major commercial publishers in the United States, as well as smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses and scholarly societies-small and large. AAP members publish hardcover and paperback books in every field, educational materials for the elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and professional markets, scholarly journals, computer software, and electronic products and services. The protection of intellectual property rights in all media, the defense of the freedom to read and the freedom to publish at home and abroad, and the promotion of reading and literacy are among the Association’s highest priorities.