The Chief Advocate for the Studios
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is the primary trade association and lobbying group for the world’s largest producers and distributors of filmed entertainment. Its members include the ‘Big Five’ legacy Hollywood studios—Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros.—as well as the streaming giant Netflix. The MPA’s fundamental mission is to advance the global business interests of these companies. This involves a wide range of activities, from lobbying governments on copyright law and trade policies to spearheading global anti-piracy efforts and facilitating the release of films in international markets. For many years, the organization was known as the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), but it shortened its name in 2019 to reflect the increasingly global nature of the industry.
The U.S. Film Rating System
The MPA’s most public-facing and well-known function is its administration of the voluntary film rating system in the United States. Established in 1968 under then-president Jack Valenti to replace the archaic and restrictive Hays Code, the system was designed to give parents advance information about the content of films to help them make informed viewing choices for their children. The ratings—G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17—are determined by a full-time board of parents, the Classification and Rating Administration (CARA). While often subject to criticism for perceived inconsistencies, the rating system remains the definitive content guide for American theatrical releases.
A Global War on Piracy
A central focus of the MPA’s modern mission is the worldwide fight against content piracy. The organization leads a multi-pronged global strategy to protect its members’ intellectual property from illegal duplication and distribution. This includes working with law enforcement agencies around the world to identify and shut down pirate websites and illicit streaming services, advocating for stronger copyright protection laws, and running public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the economic damage that piracy inflicts on the millions of workers in the creative industries.