LOS ANGELES, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Unions representing Hollywood actors are gearing up for 2008 when they will sit down with the studios to talk about royalties from video downloads.
The Los Angeles Times said Thursday there was a lot at stake for both sides as consumers gain access to more movies and television episodes via the Internet.
The Times said actors and writers were grumbling that their current union contracts shortchanged them in the download field and they want royalty deals from downloads that are more in line with what they make when their work airs on pay TV.
The head of the Screen Actors Guild said the union has learned that it needs to set up acceptable provisions for new technologies right away rather than accept vague payment plans.
The Times said the sentiment around Hollywood is that the download issue will be contentious enough to lead to a strike if an acceptable deal isn't struck quickly.
