Globe, the country's leading telecommunication giant, has expressed support for the bills filed in the Senate seeking to amend the current Intellectual Property Code to strengthen anti-online content piracy measures for Filipino citizens and industries. 

These legislations include bills that were separately filed by Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. to revise Republic Act No. 8293 or the "Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines" passed in 1997.  

"The Globe Group recognizes the urgent need to modernize the Intellectual Property Code, especially in the face of growing online threats such as online content piracy," said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

"It's crucial to safeguard our creative industries, their workforce, and consumers who might unknowingly access malicious links on pirated websites, jeopardizing their personal data," added Crisanto. 

The bills aim to strengthen the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)'s capacities to "restrict access to copyright-infringing sites and initiate site-blocking measures." 

Senate Bill 2150, filed by Estrada on May 9, proposes blocking access to websites promoting copyright violations and imposing fines of up to P1 million. 

Senate Bill No. 2385, submitted by Revilla on Aug. 1, highlights the renewed authority and responsibilities of the IPOPHL. 

A similar anti-online piracy measure from the House of Representatives (HOR), House Bill No. 7600 by Albany District 2 Rep. Joey Salceda, passed the third reading in May this year. 

Globe said the amendment of the Intellectual Property Code will be able to "institutionalize its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the IPOPHL and other internet service providers (ISPs) to create site-blocking systems against pirate sites." 

The MOU seeks to prevent online content piracy by creating general principles and procedures for site blocking, referring to unauthorized distribution and sale of pirated content. 

As a member of the Video Coalition of the Philippines, Globe has campaign against online piracy through its #PlayItRight initiative to protect content creators and their work on the internet. 

Globe said the IPOPHL has seen an increase in reports and complaints about online piracy and counterfeiting activities in 2020. 

According to a survey study by YouGov, commissioned by the Coalition Against Piracy (CAP), site-blocking can benefit the country's creative industries that generate revenue of around P1.5 trillion, contributing to 7.3 percent of the economy in 2022. 

"While 58 percent of consumers in the country interact with pirated content, many are willing to pay for legitimate content if not available on pirated platforms. The survey showed varied preferences for legal content consumption, with percent opting for subscription services, 15 percent for pay-per-view, 28 percent for cinema, 13 percent for Blu-Ray or DVD, and 39 percent for ad-supported media," as per the survey. 

YouGov concluded that Filipinos "overwhelmingly support government action against online content piracy," with 45 percent in support of ISP restrictions on pirate websites, 27 percent in favor of banning Android TV Boxes that access pirated content, and 39 percent agreed on prohibiting apps offering pirated content.