Senator Mark Villar has called for new measures to combat online piracy, emphasizing that traditional enforcement methods are ineffective as piracy has shifted to the digital realm.
During a Senate discussion on the Optical Media Board’s budget, Villar highlighted that the Board’s jurisdiction is limited to physical piracy, leaving online content unregulated.
He pointed out the lack of legislative authority to block pirated content websites, which is currently being addressed by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and internet service providers.
Villar introduced two bills, Senate Bills 2150 and 2385, aimed at amending the Intellectual Property Code to include electronic and online content in its scope.
The economic impact of piracy is significant, with the Philippines losing approximately $700 million in 2022 and projected losses of around $1 billion by 2027 if current trends continue.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 18, 2024
