Motion Picture Association Expands EMEA Anti-Piracy Push With Former Disney Executive Appointment
The Motion Picture Association has created a new senior role overseeing anti-piracy efforts across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, appointing former Disney executive Thomas Limouzin-Lamothe as vice president of content protection for the region.
Limouzin-Lamothe will report to Larissa Knapp, who joined the MPA in 2024 as executive vice president and chief content protection officer after a career at the FBI that included work on cybercrime and intellectual property enforcement. In his new position, Limouzin-Lamothe will lead the organization’s strategy to combat digital piracy across EMEA, working with law enforcement, regulators, and industry partners.
According to the MPA, his remit will include addressing live sports piracy and illicit IPTV services, both of which have become major areas of concern for rights holders in recent years. The appointment signals a continued expansion of the trade group’s international enforcement operations as piracy methods grow more sophisticated and geographically dispersed.
The MPA also oversees the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, a global anti-piracy coalition comprising more than 50 companies. Governing board members include Amazon, Apple TV, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. In October 2025, the Union of European Football Associations joined the alliance, underscoring the sports sector’s increasing involvement in coordinated enforcement initiatives.
The move comes amid a broader shift in the intellectual property landscape, with studios pursuing not only traditional piracy networks but also emerging AI-driven infringements. In recent months, media companies have taken legal action against technology firms accused of using copyrighted characters to train or generate content without authorization. The evolving legal disputes reflect an industry recalibrating its enforcement strategies as artificial intelligence tools become more integrated into digital media production.
Limouzin-Lamothe brings a background that spans private legal practice and corporate in-house leadership. He began his career as an intellectual property litigator in France, spending roughly a decade at major law firms before moving into corporate roles. Before joining Disney, he held positions at 21st Century Fox and Microsoft, where he developed enforcement strategies across multiple EMEA markets.
At Disney, he served as chief legal counsel for anti-piracy in the region, overseeing intelligence-led investigations and enforcement actions aimed at protecting film, television, and streaming assets, as well as sports rights. His experience includes coordinating multinational teams and working with government agencies to disrupt large-scale illegal distribution networks.
In a statement, Limouzin-Lamothe described the current environment as one that requires greater collaboration and innovation among stakeholders. He said his focus will be on strengthening enforcement mechanisms and addressing illicit services operating across borders.
The MPA’s decision to formalize a dedicated regional leadership role reflects the increasing complexity of digital content protection outside North America. Live sports piracy, in particular, has emerged as a significant issue across Europe and parts of the Middle East, where unauthorized streaming platforms have proliferated.
With regulatory frameworks and enforcement capacities varying widely across jurisdictions, the organization’s strategy in EMEA will depend heavily on coordination with local authorities. The new appointment positions the MPA to consolidate those efforts under centralized leadership as piracy tactics continue to evolve.
