Advocacy Group Urges Senate to Expedite Passing of Anti-Online Piracy Bills
An advocacy group is calling on the Senate to speed up the passage of anti-online piracy bills to prevent further losses for the creative industry. CitizenWatch co-convenor Tim Abejo emphasized the importance of implementing laws to combat piracy, citing the negative impact it has on the creative spirit and the spread of harmful content online.
Abejo pointed out that some websites promoting piracy also facilitate the Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and cyber-attacks by deceiving users to share sensitive data. He urged the Senate to prioritize these measures to protect the creative industry and send a message to talented Filipinos that their skills are valued.
Despite the existence of the Intellectual Property Code, which was enacted in 1997, Abejo highlighted the need for updated legislation to address online piracy effectively. He mentioned Senate Bills 20150 and 2385, which aim to pass the Online Site Blocking Act for blocking sites carrying pirated content.
The CitizenWatch’s call comes after a report by the Motion Picture Association revealed a decline in box office sales and legitimate online transactions in the Philippines due to online piracy. The group is urging lawmakers to take more aggressive action against piracy to safeguard the creative industry and combat illegal activities on the internet.
