Microsoft's British division has launched a short film competition to highlight and help reduce intellectual property theft.
The corporation's "Thought Thieves" film competition is aimed at filmmakers 14 years old and older and calls on them to make and submit short films on how intellectual property theft affects society as a whole and individuals in particular, Microsoft UK said in its announcement of the competition.
"The subject of intellectual property theft is often seen as legalistic and frankly a bit dull," said Microsoft anti-piracy manager Alex Hilton. "The truth is that intellectual property is really about peoples’ creations such as software, films, books, music, or a fashion line. When someone has worked hard on a creation, it’s unfair to see it stolen from in front of their eyes. The Thought Thieves short film competition uses film to raise awareness about, and reduce, 'Thought Theft.'"
Microsoft said intellectual property theft has become a significant problem in Britain and around the world, encompassing as much as 7 percent of world trade. The company added that their best estimates indicate cutting intellectual property theft by even 10 percent in Britain would equal billions pouring into the economy and as many as 40,000 new jobs created.
Prizes in the competition include about $3,600 worth of film and video equipment vouchers, with eight runners-up receiving trips to London to see their films being screened, Microsoft said. The competition began May 9, with a July 1 deadline for entries.
Ian Wall, the managing director of Film Education, said in his own statement that his group was "delighted" to be involved with the "Thought Thieves "competition, considering piracy is a problem at least as profound for the British film industry as it has become for Hollywood.
"Film is also a great medium to explore what is quite a difficult concept," he added, "and we're looking forward to seeing the creativity of filmmakers in tackling it."
