Milos Forman in plea for copyright protection

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2009

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Oscar-winning Hollywood director Milos Forman made an impassioned plea on Wednesday for greater copyright protection for film-makers, musicians and other artists, saying digital pirates were not "Robin Hoods" but "thieves."

"The Internet today is functioning as a dreamlike supermarket where you can go and take anything your heart desires without paying for it," the director told delegates here at the 2nd World Copyright Summit.

"It is so easy with a flip of the button at any time anywhere in the world to upload or download an entire film, musical composition, television program or book," he said.

"The 'free Internet' folks are trying to convince the public that only a few rich celebrities and powerful companies are crying foul about piracy...