Our
History
In 1922, motion picture studios formed the organization now known as the Motion Picture Association to protect and support the nascent film industry. Since that time, the MPA has served as the voice and advocate of the film and television industry around the world, advancing the business and art of storytelling, protecting the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and bringing entertainment and inspiration to audiences worldwide.
The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) is founded and led by William Hays. A regulatory system, known as the Hays code, is developed to ensure the absence of “offensive material” and prevent government interference in filmmaking.
The organization changes its name to The Motion Picture Association of America, reflecting increased popularity of american films overseas.
Alongside the progress of the civil rights, women’s rights, and labor movements, the film industry sought artistic freedoms and the removal of Hays Code’s strict limits on certain content. In response, then-MPA president Jack Valenti creates the film rating system we use today.
The MPA establishes the Film Security Office to work closely with law enforcement officials and stem the growing threat of film piracy, which was estimated to cost the industry more than $100 million a year at the time.
The EMEA office of the MPA opened in Brussels. It represents the interests of the motion picture and television industry in legislative and regulatory issues at the European and National levels.
Facing increasing challenges from online content theft, the MPA, under CEO Dan Glickman, bolsters its global content protection team and successfully advocates for the Pro-IP Act, the first U.S. anti-piracy law enacted in the 21st Century.
Like-minded organisations, federations and associations from the European cultural and creative sectors have form Creativity Works!,with the objective to kick-start an open and informed dialogue with EU policy-makers about the economic and cultural contribution made by creators and the cultural and creative sectors in the digital age.
The MPA joins dozens of entertainment companies to launch the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), a global coalition dedicated to protecting the dynamic legal market and reducing online piracy.
Under Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin, Netflix becomes the newest member of the MPA, joining Disney, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Universal, and Warner Bros. The addition of Netflix reflected the association’s increased focus on streaming services as the industry adapted to the viewing practices of modern audiences.
Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin brings on Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios as the MPA’s newest member.