WGA, Lionsgate reach interim agreement

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- The striking Writers Guild of America has announced it signed an interim agreement with the independent, filmed-entertainment studio Lionsgate.

The pact is similar to deals the WGA has recently announced with United Artists, Worldwide Pants, Spyglass Entertainment, MRC, Jackson Bites, Mandate Films and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment.

Lionsgate is a large independent producer and distributor of films, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content.

Among its products are "Rambo," "Saw 5," "The Spirit," "Weeds" and "Mad Men."

"We are pleased Lionsgate has joined the growing number of companies that have signed interim agreements with the Writers Guild," Patric M. Verrone, president of the WGA West, and Michael Winship, president of the WGA East, said in a joint statement Thursday. "Lionsgate is considered a leader in the industry, and its signing an interim agreement again confirms that it is possible for both writers to be compensated fairly and respectfully for their work and for companies to operate profitably."

The WGA has been on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers since Nov. 5.