WASHINGTON, DC — Motion Picture Association Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin today delivered remarks at a press conference on Capitol Hill with the sponsors who reintroduced the NO FAKES Act. The following are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

Senators Blackburn and Coons…Representatives Salazar and Dean:

Thank you for the opportunity to join you today.

Thank you for your leadership on the NO FAKES Act – a bill that is critical to the safety and freedoms of the creative community and the American people.

At the Motion Picture Association, we represent the world’s greatest storytellers. And in this legislation, we have a clear and compelling story to tell:

A story of unity.

First, unity of purpose:

With bipartisan sponsors in Congress…

With support from actors, musicians, content creators, technology innovators, and many others…

With a shared recognition that it’s in nobody’s interest to have 50 different digital replica laws in 50 states. This is a national challenge demanding a federal response.

Second is our unity of principle:

This bill protects performers and everyday citizens against unfair and abusive uses of digital replicas – while defending the freedom of expression that is so fundamental to the studios and the industry we represent.

Finally, we have unity in responsible policymaking.

This is a novel and complex issue that demands a careful and nuanced approach.

Getting to this point has not been quick or easy, but taking the time to get it right was well worth it.

Specifically, the MPA appreciates the inclusion of essential safeguards designed to prevent the chilling of protected speech, such as biopics, docudramas, parody, and satire. These provisions are vital for this proposal to be durable.

Our unity, in the face of abuses of deepfakes and digital replicas, is essential to meeting the magnitude of this challenge.

And in a moment when unity can seem all-too-rare, NO FAKES can be a reminder that Congress and our community can come together to do big things for the good of creators and for all Americans.

The MPA looks forward to working closely with everyone here to make NO FAKES the law of the land.

Thank you.

This article was first published on Motion Picture Association