Globe Telecom, CAP back proposed Philippine Online Infringement Act

As a leading advocate against online piracy through #PlayItRight, Globe Telecom, along with the international Coalition Against Piracy (CAP), expressed its positive support for the proposed bill ordering the blocking of websites that illegally distribute copyrighted material like videos, music, and gaming.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III recently filed Senate Bill No. 2109 or also known as the Philippine Online Infringement Act, which will enable the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), through the National Telecommunications Commission, to cancel the licenses of internet service providers (ISPs) that allow illicit websites to infringe or facilitate infringement of copyright.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, who recently joined the Board of Directors of the international group Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA), said that this legislation will help put a stop to the growing online piracy that has continually impacted original content creators and the Philippine entertainment industry.

“The economic and social impact of online piracy is profound. Revenue loss are in millions and thousands of jobs are affected due to a myriad of illegal streaming websites and illicit streaming devices or ISDs. More importantly, these illegal sites and devices put customers at risk not only because of its content but specifically,  malware,” Cu said.

The Philippines continues to be a haven for cybercriminals who illegally make content available online, especially with new technologies like ISDs.  It is a growing concern in Asia including Singapore and Thailand. A new study commissioned by the AVIA showed that 15% of Singaporean consumers use a TV box or ISD for free streaming of hundreds of pirated television channels and video-on-demand content. More than a quarter of those who own a TV box have cancelled their subscription to an online video service. The same goes with Thailand where over 45% of its consumers are using these illegal TV boxes.

Cu said the proposed bill is an important first step towards relevant legislation thus making it difficult for rogue site operators to act with impunity. “Globe will continue to support efforts that will help stop online piracy,” he added.

“There is no silver bullet to deterring online piracy. What is required is a holistic solution to include consumer outreach, cooperation with technology platforms and other intermediaries, enforcement, and critically, capability to disable access to egregious piracy websites through effective site blocking,” said Neil Gane, General Manager at AVIA’s CAP. “AVIA’s Coalition Against Piracy welcomes the Philippine Online Infringement Bill, which, if passed, will provide an important building block for the Philippine content industry to tackle online piracy.”

Globe in 2017 launched its award-winning advocacy campaign #PlayItRight to help the entertainment industry curb piracy and protect intellectual property rights. Since then, the company has blocked nearly 2,500 illegal sites that hosted lewd content and child pornography.

Organizations like the CAP, FDCP, and the Optical Media Board, have expressed support for #PlayItRight. Globe recently joined the AVIA to strengthen its mandate in fighting piracy across Asia through effective enforcement and disruption of intermediaries in the piracy chain.