Globe, IPOPHL fight online content piracy

MANILA  -Globe Telecom Inc. and other internet service providers inked a memorandum of understanding with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to mitigate the proliferation of online content piracy as a way to protect both the consumers and the creative sector.

The agreement, which is a first in Asia, aims to establish a voluntary site-blocking practice against unauthorized distribution and sale of pirated content via the internet.

It details the general principles and procedures for blocking of pirated sites, which are seen to cost the creative industry $1 billion in revenue losses by 2027 based on a study by independent research firm Media Partners Asia.

The site-blocking scheme, according to the deal, should also abide by the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
“Just as we have taken our advocacy to such great lengths, we’re fully committed to stopping piracy. And hopefully, in the digital economy, the Philippines can start looking forward to a creative industry that is robust and free from all these challenges,” Globe Group chief sustainability and communications officer Yoly Crisanto said.

“We are no longer tied up. We can do something about piracy,” she added.

READ: Globe calls on Pinoys to consume only legal content online

While piracy hurts the creative industry, Globe noted that online pirated sites expose users to malware and phishing attacks. These cyber threats trick users into providing their personal information like address and bank account details.

Prior to this, television networks and telco players established the Video Coalition of the Philippines (VCP) with the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) for content protection and anti-piracy initiatives.

READ: John Arcilla bats for bill vs online piracy: ‘It’s a threat to entertainment, creative industry’

Matt Cheetham, AVIA’s Coalition Against Piracy general manager, noted that consumers understand the need to place government regulations to block pirated content given its repercussion on the creative industry.

“The VCP aims to push for stronger intellectual property protection in the Philippines that will protect both original content and users, as well as promote the Philippines creative and media industries, not only in the Philippines but around the world,” the group said.