Digital channels for distribution have create new opportunities for artists and content owners, but also new challenges in enforcing copyright and reducing piracy. How much of an impact does piracy really have in the creative industries? Have past efforts to curb piracy been effective? This panel discussion will highlight findings from recent empirical research analyzing the impact of piracy on sales of copyrighted products and quantifying the effectiveness of both policy-based and market-based strategies for fighting piracy.

“Digital Distribution Channels: Challenges and Opportunities” will be held Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 8:30am to 10:30 am at the City Club, located at 555 13th Street, NW, in Washington, DC. Registration and a continental breakfast will begin at 8:30, with the program starting at 9:00. Questions should be directed to Ashley Benjamin at [email protected]. Members of the press should contact Amy Smorodin at [email protected].

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Michael Smith, Senior Adjunct Fellow, Technology Policy Institute, and Professor of Information Systems and Marketing and the Co-Director, Initiative for Digital Entertainment Analytics, Carnegie Mellon University
Joel Waldfogel, Professor, Frederick R Kappel Chair in Applied Economics, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
Alejandro Zentner, Associate Professor of Managerial Economics, University of Texas at Dallas
Thomas Lenard (moderator), President and Senior Fellow, Technology Policy Institute