Technology

Copyright Enforcement Dialogue 2026 in Taipei Reinforces Regional Public-Private Cooperation Against Digital Piracy

Published

2 days ago

April 22, 2026

TAIPEI, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 22, 2026, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) Asia Pacific concluded the Copyright Enforcement Dialogue: Taipei 2026, convening senior policymakers, law enforcement authorities, judicial representatives, and industry experts from across Asia–Pacific to advance coordinated action against copyright infringement and digital piracy, ahead of World Intellectual Property Day on April 26.

Organised in collaboration with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) and the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the participation of international and local enforcement agencies, the dialogue reinforced the importance of cross border collaboration, effective regulatory frameworks, and public–private partnerships to protect intellectual property and support the creative economy.

In her welcome address, Sue Wang, Deputy Minister of Culture and Chairperson of the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), underscored the role of copyright protection in sustaining a healthy creative ecosystem: “The foundation of culture is copyright protection. If there was no copyright protection, there would no culture in the world. Therefore, copyright protection is the core of every culture.”

Across four expert panels, participants examined the evolving piracy landscape, shared regulatory and enforcement challenges, the role of public–private collaboration in real–world enforcement, and the growing threat posed by illegal streaming devices, drawing on legal, technical, and investigative perspectives. A dedicated piracy case study session led by Taiwan’s law enforcement authorities showcased recent investigative efforts and reinforced the value of information–sharing and technical cooperation.

Addressing Taiwan’s enforcement framework, Hung Sheng-I, Director of the Copyright Division at the Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs, said, “By integrating the Set-Top Box Act with domain seizure and follow-the-money mechanisms, Taiwan has established a comprehensive and enforceable framework that serves as a powerful shield for IP protection in the digital environment.”

Itae Choi, Executive Director of the Copyright Overseas Promotion Association (COA), said: “We must be grateful to all users who love and enjoy our content. It is essential to widely communicate the value of their voluntary and legal use, so that those who consume it unlawfully may be encouraged to join them. To this end, we will intensify our efforts in raising awareness and fostering a culture of respect among content users.”

Choi also emphasized the central role of cooperation in effective copyright enforcement: “Cooperation is vital in every field, but it is especially crucial in addressing copyright infringement. Private sector efforts cannot succeed without the collaboration of public authorities such as law enforcement and the judiciary. We are, in effect, running a three–legged race together — and to win, we must stay in step with one another.”

Noting the level of international participation, James Cheatley, Vice President, VOD, Digital Affairs and Intellectual Property, Asia Pacific at the Motion Picture Association, said the dialogue reflected the shared nature of the challenge posed by piracy: “We have industry leaders, government policymakers, and law enforcement experts from five countries taking part in this dialogue. That level of international cooperation reflects the reality that piracy is a shared challenge — one that requires coordinated approaches and collective solutions across governments, enforcement authorities, and industry.”

Tatsuya Otsuka, Deputy Senior Director of International Affairs of Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), said, “Strengthening cross-border collaboration is essential to ensure effective anti-piracy measures. This dialogue provided a wonderful opportunity for us to share challenges and insights and continue to advance international efforts to combat piracy.”

Toshinao Yamazaki, Director of the Intellectual Property Affairs Division at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said sustained dialogue was key to long–term protection of creative industries: “Ultimately, protecting the creative ecosystem hinges on robust public-private collaboration and sustained international dialogue. I am confident this Copyright Enforcement Dialogue 2026 will serve as a pivotal step to further enrich the global IP ecosystem and collectively build a more prosperous and sustainable future.”

In closing remarks, Dawn Barriteau, Vice President, Content Protection, Asia Pacific, Motion Picture Association, reaffirmed MPA and ACE’s commitment to working with governments and enforcement partners across the region to strengthen copyright protection and disrupt piracy networks.

“Effective copyright enforcement is not just about protecting content — it is about protecting jobs, investment, and the long-term health of the creative industries. Today’s dialogue demonstrates how industry, governments, and law enforcement can work together to address piracy with practical, coordinated solutions.” Barriteau added that continued regional cooperation is essential as piracy networks become increasingly sophisticated and transnational: “No single stakeholder can address digital piracy alone. Meaningful progress depends on sustained public–private collaboration, information–sharing, and strong policy frameworks that keep pace with technological change.”

The Copyright Enforcement Dialogue: Taipei 2026, held in the lead-up to World Intellectual Property Day, builds on MPA’s longstanding collaboration with regional stakeholders and reflects a continued focus on practical enforcement solutions, policy dialogue, and capacity building to support Asia Pacific’s creative economy.

View images here.

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SOURCE Motion Picture Association (MPA) Asia Pacific

Technology

The Inner Circle acknowledges Colleen Reilly as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence

Published

5 hours ago

April 24, 2026

PORT ST. JOE, Fla., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Colleen Reilly is honored as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for her contributions to Transforming Catering and Event Services in Northwest Florida.

Since 2015, Colleen Reilly has served as founder and CEO of Catering Connections, a company that has redefined catering in Northwest Florida’s beach communities through innovation, collaboration, and community focus. Guided by her motto “Just one call feeds them all,” Ms. Reilly established a unique model by partnering with local restaurants to showcase their specialties, fostering unity among businesses while providing clients with one-of-a-kind event experiences.

With over 15 years of industry expertise, Ms. Reilly specializes in coordinating weddings, family reunions, and corporate events, managing every detail from client consultation to menu planning and flawless execution. Her dedication to service has earned Catering Connections multiple recognitions, including the Couples Choice Award from WeddingWire from 2021 to 2025, the Best of Florida Award from 2022 to 2024, and the Lux Life Hospitality and Catering Award in 2023 and 2024.

Ms. Reilly’s career foundation includes an associate degree in paralegal studies, magna cum laude, from Volunteer State College, a reflection of her meticulous approach to detail and commitment to excellence. Beyond her business, she serves her community as a board member of the Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership and as president of Friends of the Governor Stone Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to preserving maritime heritage in Panama City. Her previous civic contributions include serving five years as a guardian ad litem, advocating for children within the legal system, and volunteering as a school chaperone for international student trips.

A leader who blends innovation with service, Ms. Reilly continues to grow Catering Connections while deepening her commitment to the local community. Looking ahead, she remains dedicated to expanding her company’s impact, bringing people together, and creating meaningful experiences through food and fellowship.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@continentalwhoswho.com

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SOURCE The Inner Circle

Technology

Media Contributor Kianga Moore to Host Executive Media Roundtable On AI’s Transformational Impact in Retail

Published

5 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Leaders from AdFury.ai, Vendormint, and New Nexus Group to Explore Real-Time Decision-Making, Resilience, and Growth in a Volatile Market

NEW YORK, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As retailers navigate ongoing economic uncertainty, supply chain volatility, and rapidly shifting consumer expectations, the upcoming convening of a high-level roundtable discussion will examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping the retail landscape in real time.

Moderated by Media Contributor Kianga Moore, to be held on Wednesday, April 29 at 11h00am (EST), the roundtable will bring together senior leaders from AdFury.ai, Vendormint and New Nexus Group to discuss how modern enterprise platforms are leveraging AI to drive agility, efficiency, and long-term resilience across the retail ecosystem.

The discussion will additionally focus on how AI is enabling retailers to respond dynamically to changing demand signals, optimize marketing investments, and strengthen interoperability across increasingly complex vendor and marketplace networks.

“Retailers today are operating in a constant state of disruption”, stated Kianga Moore. “This roundtable will explore how AI is not just a tool for efficiency, but a strategic asset for anticipating change and building more resilient, adaptive American enterprise.”

Key discussion topics will include remarks on how, for example, enterprise AI platforms are helping retailers respond instantly to fluctuations in consumer demand, pricing pressures, and external supply chain disruptions and the role of AI in enhancing interoperability across vendors, partners, and marketplaces to create more agile and resilient retail infrastructures in 2026.

Rob Gonda, Chief Technical Officer at Vendormint, stated that, “Interoperability is the backbone of modern retail. AI enables seamless communication between platforms, vendors, and marketplaces—turning fragmented systems into cohesive, responsive ecosystems that can adapt under pressure.”

Discussion topics will also include machine learning’s ability to optimize ad spend, improving personalization, and delivering measurable ROI while maintaining brand trust and regulatory compliance.

Eric Howerton, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of AdFury.ai, added that,”AI is fundamentally changing how brands approach customer acquisition. By leveraging machine learning through fine-tuned, retail-specific agentic flows, we can not only optimize ad spend in real time, but we can also ensure messaging is personalized, compliant, and aligned with evolving consumer expectations.”

And indeed the roundtable will include discussions on how AI-powered predictive analytics can help businesses anticipate economic, technological, and geopolitical disruptions ahead—and plan accordingly.

Cheryl Yarbrough, Vice President of Partnerships at New Nexus Group added that, “Resilience in retail is no longer built in quarterly planning cycles-it’s built in real time. AI gives organizations the ability to identify disruptions before they cascade, pivot strategies before momentum is lost, and maintain continuity when the market moves faster than any human team can react alone.”

The roundtable will be held via Zoom TeleConference, with questions from the press and key stakeholders to follow opening remarks and a 30-minute Q&A between the moderator and the panelists.

For all media inquiries and to register to attend, please contact: Sam Amsterdam, Amsterdam Group Public Relations Inc. – Sam@AmsterdamGroup.net / +1 (202) 910-8349

Vendormint (https://vendormint.com)New Nexus Group (https://www.newnexusgroup.com)AdFury.ai (https://www.adfury.ai)

Samuel Amsterdam
Communications Counsel
Vendormint
samuelamsterdam@gmail.com

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SOURCE Vendormint

Technology

Fairway Home Mortgage Earns Prestigious USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award For 6th Consecutive Year

Published

6 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Fairway CEO Steve Jacobson Named #1 Leadership Award Winner of Companies With 2500+ Employees

MADISON, Wis., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fairway Home Mortgage announced that it has earned the prestigious 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award. This is the sixth year in a row Fairway achieved this honor.

The award honors organizations with 150 or more employees that have created exceptional, people-first cultures. This year, more than 40,500 organizations were invited to participate. The winners are recognized for their commitment to fostering a workplace environment that values employee listening and engagement. USA TODAY showcased the winners at the National Awards Summit in Nashville. Watch the video of the event here.

“Being recognized with this award reflects Fairway’s commitment to bringing our people together face-to-face,” said Fairway’s CEO and Founder Steve Jacobson. “Companies are better when their people are around each other. People need each other and they learn from each other, and we’re very intentional about creating opportunities for in-person collaboration at Fairway.”

Jacobson demonstrated that in-person collaboration when he traveled to Knoxville this week with Fairway Senior Vice President Dan Richards to spend time with one of Fairway’s branches and their local real estate partners. “We engaged in real conversations about the market, discussed what people are seeing on the ground, and talked about how Fairway keeps showing up for clients,” said Richards. “It’s a reflection of the same hands-on approach that has defined Fairway’s culture for more than two decades.”

“To be named a Top Workplace for six consecutive years speaks to Fairway’s leadership, our mindset, and the empowerment of our staff,” said Fairway’s Chief People and Engagement Officer Julie Fry. “Our strength isn’t just what we offer employees. What sets a top workplace apart is the daily commitment to people—prioritizing connection, valuing contributions, and creating an environment where employees feel energized to serve because they feel valued first.”

The winners are determined by authentic employee feedback captured through a confidential survey conducted by Energage, the HR research and technology company behind the Top Workplaces program since 2006. The results are calculated based on employee responses to statements about Workplace Experience Themes, which are proven indicators of high performance.

“Earning a USA TODAY Top Workplaces award is a testament to an organization’s credibility and commitment to a people-first culture,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. “This award, driven by real employee feedback, is more than just a recognition — it’s proof that your employees believe in the organization and its leadership. Job seekers and customers look for this trusted badge of credibility and excellence. It signals a company that values its people, and that kind of culture resonates in today’s competitive market”

About Fairway Home Mortgage
Madison, WI- and Carrollton, TX-based Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #2289) is a full-service mortgage lender licensed in all 50 states. Fairway is the #2 overall retail lender in the U.S.

About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.™
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 20 years of culture research and the results from 30 million employees surveyed across more than 80,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

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SOURCE Fairway Home Mortgage