The Association for Protection of the Legal Distribution of Programs

Sofia, The Association for Protection of the Legal Distribution of Programs – TeRaPro is an industry led association of TV and video content owners, broadcasters and distributors in Bulgaria. TeRaPro is а uniquely positioned entity with integral and objective view of the media market and stands as an advocate of the legitimate business in the field of distribution of TV programs and audiovisual production.

Members of TeRaPro are Media and Broadband; BTV Media Group; Bulsatcom; Bulgarian Company; Discovery Communications Bulgaria; HBO Bulgaria; Mobiltel; Broadcasting Group and Fox International Channels Bulgaria.

TeRaPro is open for membership to all TV organizations and business enterprises distributing TV programs or audiovisual content which observe the fair competition rules and conduct their activities in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations in the sector.

• TeRaPro aims at promoting the legal distribution of TV programs and audio-visual content and at establishing of conditions for fair competition on the TV market;

• TeRaPro aims at encouraging the partnership between state authorities, legitimate operators and content providers against TV piracy and the “grey sector”;

• TeRaPro aims at counteracting the illegal practices in the field of TV and video content distribution and at supporting the law enforcement authorities in their efforts to that end;

• TeRaPro aims at informing consumers and media market players about the instances of illegal distribution of TV programs and audio-visual works. • The TV and video content distribution market in Bulgaria needs active protection carried out in cooperation between the rights holders and the relevant state institutions.

• The illegal practices and the "gray economy" in the sector realize unaccountable revenues from subscribers at the expense of the legitimate content owners, authors and businesses, which calls for urgent measures to protect the rights of the program content providers.

• The consumers are deprived from high-quality, guaranteed services. • TeRaPro is an association based on the principle of consistent and predictable behavior respecting the rule of law and following the good practices in the field of intellectual property rights protection.

• TeRaPro is a strong promoter of equal, transparent and predictable conditions for development of the TV market in Bulgaria.

• The Illegal TV and video content distribution and the related illicit business practices harm not only the legitimate businesses but also the consumers’ intersts and the state.

• TeRaPro partners law enforcement and regulatory authorities to combat piracy of TV and video content.

• TeRaPro works in service to the consumers.

• TeRaPro calls for zero tolerance towards TV piracy.

• TeRaPro does not “clear markets” and stands to defend the interests of legitimate businesses and the consumers. There is no publicly acceptable justification for violating the laws.

Velizar Sokolov І Executive Director І TeRaPro

T/F: +359 2 971 02 58; +359 2 971 02 74

E: [email protected] І [email protected] І www.terapro.org І