The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has opened an office in Mumbai to represent the US film, video and TV industries at a time when the US studios are stepping up their investment in Indian film and TV.

The newly-established Motion Picture Distribution Association (India) Pvt Ltd will work with local Indian film industries and the Indian government to reduce market access restrictions and high taxation; promote the establishment of intellectual property courts in India; enforce IP rights through legal measures and technology, and launch public outreach programmesto educateaudiences about the consequences ofpiracy.

'With over 3 billion total admissions in 2007 and multiplex screens increasing over 400 percent from 193 in 2006 to 907 in 2011, our member studios have decided to participate towards this dynamic market by investing many millions of dollars into the Indian film and television industry,' said MPAA chairman and CEO Dan Glickman. 'Our new office will serve to promote, protect and expand their interests in India.'

He added that there remains serious obstacles to doing business in India such as entertainment taxes which are among the highest in the world and high levels of piracy.

According to a US India Business Council report, the Indian film industry lost $959m and around half a million jobs last year due to piracy.

Almost all the major US studios are now involved in the Indian film and television industries, either by investing in, or forming joint ventures with, local entertainment conglomerates or by producing and co-producing local-language movies.

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