CreativeFuture (formerly known as Creative America) is an advocacy group led by a coalition of American entertainment organizations with a goal of combating content theft (commonly called piracy) and protecting American intellectual property. The organization endorsed the Stop Online Piracy Act and the PROTECT IP Act.
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History
The launch of Creative America was first announced on July 6, 2011 with the goal of preventing violations of intellectual property rights in the United States. In October 2011, the group launched a national campaign to educate the public about content theft, and to draw support for the Protect IP Act. In response to blackout protests against SOPA and PIPA, the group purchased radio, print, billboard, and television ads in support of the legislation. A series of pro-SOPA/PIPA emails sent by Creative America shared close similarities with anti-SOPA/PIPA emails sent by Public Knowledge, leading some to conclude that Creative America had plagiarized their opponent's emails with only superficial changes.
In February 2014, Creative America re-branded itself CreativeFuture, and named Ruth Vitale, the former co-president of Paramount Classics, as the new executive director.
Supporters
Creative America refers to itself as a grassroots movement. However, it has been alternatively described as astroturfing, given the support of labor groups SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and the Directors Guild of America and entertainment giants including CBS Corporation, NBCUniversal, The Walt Disney Company, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Viacom, and Time Warner.