Michael Connors, Sr. Vice President (Asia Pacific), Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA), believes Frames 2002 could not be better timed to discuss the new issues facing the entertainment industry.

One of the speakers at the two-day event, Connors spoke to indiantelevision.com about his expectations from the forum.

What in your opinion is the current state of the Asian entertainment industry vis a vis the global scenario? How have technological advances helped the industry grow in the last decade?
The new digital technologies, especially Internet, bring unique opportunities to bring to people all over the world motion picture entertainment in all its formats - film, home video and television. However, these new technologies pose new challenges in protecting that entertainment from theft.

We must work together to find ways to protect the new delivery systems from thieves.

What do you think are the solutions to piracy in the entertainment industry? How big a problem is it in the US?
Piracy is now a leading threat to our industry. We cannot expect the creative artists who make films to continue doing so if what they produce is going to be stolen. We must work together to find ways to protect the new delivery systems from thieves.

How will a forum like Ficci Frames 2002 help the industry find solutions to the problems facing the industry?
India is showing strong leadership in addressing these issues. The Frames 2002 conference is clear demonstration of that. I am honored and delighted to participate in the event.