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The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is bolstering its efforts to combat digital piracy across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) with the appointment of Thomas Limouzin-Lamothe as Vice President, Content Protection EMEA. This strategic move underscores the growing importance of protecting intellectual property in an increasingly digital landscape, particularly as new threats emerge from illicit streaming and, more recently, AI-driven copyright infringement.
Limouzin-Lamothe, a seasoned intellectual property and anti-piracy leader, brings over two decades of experience to the role. He will report directly to Larissa Knapp, the MPA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Content Protection Officer, who joined the organization in 2024 after a distinguished career with the FBI. The appointment signals a proactive approach by the MPA to safeguard creative content and revenue streams in the EMEA region.
The newly created position will focus on addressing a range of piracy challenges, including the proliferation of illegal live sports streams and illicit IPTV services. According to a statement from the MPA, Limouzin-Lamothe will collaborate closely with regional stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, industry partners, and member companies to strengthen enforcement and disrupt illegal operations. The MPA itself leads the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), a global anti-piracy organization comprised of over 50 media companies, including Amazon, Apple TV, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) recently joined ACE in October 2025, further expanding its reach.
A Shift in Tactics: Combating AI-Driven Piracy
The fight against piracy is evolving, and the MPA is responding by tackling new challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Studios are increasingly taking legal action against AI firms for utilizing copyrighted characters – such as Darth Vader, Spider-Man, and Batman – to generate content without authorization. A recent case involves Chinese tech giant ByteDance and its AI video generation tool, Seedance 2.0, highlighting a growing concern over AI-driven copyright infringement. This represents a significant shift in anti-piracy strategies, moving beyond traditional methods to address the unique threats presented by AI technology.
“I’m honored to join the Motion Picture Association at a time when collaboration and innovation are more key than ever in protecting creative works,” said Limouzin-Lamothe in a statement. “I look forward to working with MPA members and regional partners to strengthen enforcement, disrupt illegal services and support a sustainable creative ecosystem throughout EMEA in an ever-evolving piracy landscape.”
Extensive Experience in Intellectual Property Enforcement
Limouzin-Lamothe’s career began as an IP litigator, spending a decade with leading French law firms. Prior to joining the MPA, he served as Legal Counsel, Antipiracy EMEA at The Walt Disney Company, where he managed intelligence-driven enforcement initiatives protecting films, television content, streaming platforms, and sports rights across multiple markets. He also held strategic positions at 21st Century Fox and Microsoft, where he built and led multinational teams, developing region-wide enforcement strategies and delivering measurable results across EMEA, with a particular focus on the Middle East, Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe.
His expertise spans intellectual property law, cybercrime enforcement, and large-scale anti-piracy operations, both in private practice and within corporate leadership roles. This comprehensive background positions him well to lead the MPA’s content protection strategy in the EMEA region.
The appointment of Limouzin-Lamothe reflects the MPA’s commitment to proactively addressing the evolving challenges of digital piracy and protecting the creative ecosystem. As new technologies emerge and piracy tactics become more sophisticated, the MPA’s efforts will be crucial in ensuring that creators are fairly compensated for their operate and that consumers have access to legitimate content.
The industry will be watching closely to notice how Limouzin-Lamothe’s leadership shapes the MPA’s anti-piracy strategy in the coming months and years, particularly as the legal landscape surrounding AI-generated content continues to develop. Further developments in legal challenges against AI firms and the implementation of new enforcement strategies are expected as the MPA continues to adapt to the changing digital environment.
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