Will Hays was an American lawyer, politician, and movie executive who was best known for his role as the president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA). He enforced a strict code of moral censorship in Hollywood films during the early decades of the 20th century, which became known as the "Hays Code". Other synonyms for the term "Will Hays" include Hollywood censorship, film regulation, movie censorship, and film enforcement. While Hays was widely criticized for limiting artistic freedom, his legacy helped to establish a set of ethical standards for American movies that are still followed today.