SAG-AFTRA Supports Senate Approval of the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances

Los Angeles (Feb. 10, 2016) — Today, President Obama sent the WIPO Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances to the U.S. Senate for approval. The treaty is the result of a long-running multinational effort to grant full, worldwide recognition of audiovisual performers' rights.

“SAG-AFTRA’s elected leadership and staff, as well as representatives from our industry partners and delegates from around the world, have worked tirelessly for more than a decade to reach this point. The Senate should move quickly to ratify this treaty, bringing us closer to equal rights for performers regardless of media and across national boundaries,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White.

As stated by Obama, the treaty “advances the national interest of the United States in promoting the protection and enjoyment of creative works.” Audiovisual performers have been left out of any international protections for far too long, and it is time for the United States and other countries to join in protecting their rights, just as the rights of performers in sound recordings have been protected for many years.

“This is an issue of fair treatment and basic protection for actors and performers at all levels in our industry, and SAG-AFTRA and our more than 160,000 members stand strong in supporting the prompt ratification of the Beijing Treaty. SAG-AFTRA hopes the Senate will take this opportunity to make a powerful statement in favor of creativity and fairness,” said SAG-AFTRA Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.