TIGA,
the trade association representing the UK games industry, today welcomed the
shelving of the anti-piracy measures, SOPA and PIPA, by their respective Congressional
proponents. TIGA feared that the bills could cause damage to the online games
industry.
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“This is an
ignominious setback for old fashioned media lobbyists and a victory for
technology businesses; indeed ultimately it is a victory for common sense. TIGA
is delighted that both SOPA and PIPA have been indefinitely postponed. SOPA in
particular was an ill-conceived legislative proposal which could potentially
have damaged the online video games industry.
Additionally, the irony is that
even if the legislation had been enacted, it could have been disruptive for
innocent users of the internet while failing to significantly curb piracy. TIGA
will continue to fight for the interests of our online video games developers
and publishers against badly considered anti-piracy legislation.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
About
TIGA:
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The
majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house
publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing
companies, technology businesses and
universities amongst our membership. TIGA won 10
business awards and was nominated a finalist for 9 other awards during 2010 and
2011. In 2010
TIGA won two business awards including ‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the
Trade Association Forum.
In 2011, TIGA won eight business awards including
‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the Trade Association Forum, ‘Outstanding
Organisation’ from the Chartered Management Institute and two Global Business
Excellence Awards, including ‘Outstanding Marketing Campaign’. Richard Wilson won the ‘Leadership Award’
from the Trade Association Forum and the ‘Outstanding Leader’ award from the
Chartered Management Institute. TIGA is an Investors in People organisation.
TIGA's vision is to make
the UK the best place in the world to do games business. We focus on
three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage
and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members.
This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of
power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a
material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and
improved commercial opportunities.
For
further information, please contact Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on: 07875 939
643, or email richard.wilson@tiga.org.