Yesterday the AMPTP (the organization representing the media corporations) published an “open letter” (advertisement) in the New York Times and the LA Times to “set the record straight” on their positions. Here are links to their letter, and to a response from the President of the WGA (Writers Guild West).

A few excerpts:

AMPTP: “…writers currently do receive residuals for digital downloading…”

WGA: “It’s true some companies are trying to pay us for downloading shows we’ve created at the abysmal DVD rate of a third of a penny per dollar earned by the companies. But we have never agreed to this formula, and we have initiated arbitration”

AMPTP: “the Guild is seeking at least a 700 percent increase over what writers currently receive, and more than a 200 percent increase over what they receive for Internet “pay per view.” There is no way that these increases can be deemed reasonable.”

WGA: “This is more than misleading. Again, some companies are trying to pay us the DVD rate. And we are asking to receive 2.5 cents per dollar. The only way to characterize our request as a 700% increase
is if you accept as a given the low ball amount they’re trying to foist on us.”

AMPTP:”The AMPTP has offered to pay writers a percentage of the revenues the producer receives from licensing streamed content on the Internet…”

WGA: “Here’s the truth about their offer. We would get no share of revenue for the first six weeks that our shows air. In other words, they’re offering us a share of revenue after there is little revenue left.”

There’s more. If you’re interested click on the links above and read the two letters.

If you do just try not to use your real name :)

Apparently it’s not a good idea to piss off a bunch of writers.

Thank you for the video. Keep us informed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a37uqd5vTw