Rep. Judy Chu, D-Los Angeles

U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Los Angeles, and Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C., Chair of the House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, announced the launch Thursday of the new Congressional Creative Rights Caucus for the 113th Congress.  The Congresswoman is currently the most senior member on the subcommittee from the Los Angeles region.

“American innovation hinges on creativity – it is what allows our kids to dream big and our artists to create works that inspire us all.  The jobs that result are thanks entirely to our willingness to foster creative talent, and an environment where it can thrive and prosper.

“Serving that notion is exactly what this new caucus will do, and I’m thrilled to have Congressman Coble as my co-chair. He has a long record on supporting greater protections for American ingenuity and intellectual property.  I look forward to continuing that work with him on these important issues,” said Rep. Chu.

Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C.

“The economic contributions made by the creative community keep our nation competitive in a global economy.  These works are among our most precious exports because the ingenuity, skill, and craftsmanship of American creators cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world,” said Rep. Coble.

The Congressional Creative Rights Caucus will serve to educate Members of Congress and the general public about the importance of preserving and protecting the rights of the creative community in the U.S.  American creators of motion pictures, music, software, and other creative works rely on Congress to protect their copyrights, human rights, First Amendment rights, and property rights.

The motion picture industry has a strong economic presence in Rep. Chu’s current district.  According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), $437 million is paid by their member studios to local businesses, and almost 140,000 jobs are in direct film and television in Los Angeles County.