IPOPHL, MPA hopes for swift passage of site-blocking law amid new study showing cyber threats in piracy sites

IPOPHL, MPA hopes for swift passage of site-blocking law amid new study showing cyber threats in piracy sites

November 15, 2024

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Motion Picture Association, Inc. (MPA) are calling for the swift passage of the site-blocking law to support the growth of artists and protect Filipinos from cybersecurity threats.

“A site-blocking law will help boost our creative economy and ensure a golden age for our artists,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said, noting the urgency of its passage amid the gradual decline of the sector’s share to the Philippine GDP over the years—from 7.5% in 2019 to 7.1% in 2023.

“We are still hopeful for its passage before the election,” he added.

“The MPA’s experience in almost 60 countries around the world shows that site blocking is one of the most effective tools in our toolbox to combat piracy. This is particularly true in jurisdictions like the Philippines, where the most visited sites are run by operators based elsewhere in the world,” said Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the MPA.

The MPA is a non-profit organization advocating for the growth of film, TV and streaming. It represents major film studios in the United States, namely Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Netflix Studios, LLC; Paramount Pictures Corp.; Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.

“The enactment of site blocking legislation is the next key step towards protecting Filipino consumers, content creators, and the creative industry in the Philippines and around the world,” Temple added.

The call comes amid the MPA’s release last Wednesday of a new study it commissioned titled “Consumer Risk from Piracy in the Philippines,” aiming to quantify the cyber risks Filipinos face when visiting piracy sites. The study was launched at the anti-piracy symposium organized by IPOPHL, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, GMA Networks, Inc. and Globe Telecom.

Analyzing 180 URLs, the study found that Filipinos are 33 times more likely to encounter cyber threats on popular piracy sites than on legal film or TV sites. It explained that piracy sites expose visitors to risks such as personal information theft, ransomware attacks and sextortion.

“The Philippines, with its rapidly growing internet penetration and thriving digital economy, has become an attractive target for cybercriminals who exploit digital piracy to spread malware, viruses and other cyber threats,” the study read.

Need for a law, more funding

To ensure the growth of the creative economy and consumers’ safety, the study suggested three key actions, including enacting “proportionate and transparent” site-blocking laws that target piracy sites and services.

At present, several site-blocking measures are pending in the legislature, namely House Bill 7600 and Senate Bills 2150 and 2385, 2645 and 2651.

The MPA-commissioned study also found it crucial to increase funding for Philippine law enforcement, particularly in bolstering capabilities in digital forensics and incident response.

IPOPHL Deputy Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo said such investments are vital amid increased sophistication of cyber threats.

“Building the capabilities and readiness of our law enforcement agencies, especially within the National Committee on IP Rights, creates a proactive approach to keep the Philippines’ defenses fortified against bad actors and ahead of emerging threats,” Arevalo said.

The study also cited the “urgent” need to develop a comprehensive national campaign in the Philippines to educate consumers about safe online practices and legal remedies they can leverage to counter piracy-linked cyber risks.

IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO) Supervising Director Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan said the IEO has been actively campaigning to build a culture of IP respect across the country.

“The IEO’s awareness campaigns highlight the legal consequences and risks of piracy. By empowering consumers to make informed choices to protect their security, our society can achieve a cultural shift towards deeper IP respect,” Pangilinan-Canlapan added. # # # (Janina Lim, Information Officer III)