IPOPHL and GMA forge alliance to combat counterfeiting, piracy, other IP violations

October 24, 2023

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) have joined forces in a pioneering move to combat piracy in the video and content creation industry. In a ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing, both entities formalized their commitment to fight rampant piracy, safeguard intellectual property (IP) rights and promote a thriving creative ecosystem.

Last October 5, the official MOU signing ceremony was graced by GMA’s key officials, including its Executive Vice President (VP) and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, First VP and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia and First VP for Legal Affairs Lynn P. Delfin.

IP Enforcement Office Supervising Director Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan lauded the network for their initiative to capacitate their workforce with the proper tools to protect their creations. “The dedication of the men and women of GMA to creativity, storytelling, and innovation aligns with their determination to safeguard their intellectual property against unauthorized distribution and piracy,” Pangilinan-Canlapan said.

Under the MOU, GMA, pledges to work with IPOPHL in its mission to form a mechanism and framework for piracy prevention, online piracy monitoring and regular assistance in IP promotion.

Meanwhile, IPOPHL aims to establish an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) referral system to enhance the settlement of IP disputes and IP rights violation cases for GMA. IPOPHL is also set to prioritize its ongoing capacity-building efforts on IP protection, utilization and enforcement tailored to the workforce of the broadcast network.

“Over the course of our collaboration, we envision the implementation of educational initiatives and public awareness campaigns, among other initiatives, to fortify the walls against piracy. By synergizing our strengths, we aim to create an environment where creators will feel secure in their endeavors, knowing that their contributions will be respected and valued,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said.

GMA, regarded as the leading broadcast network locally, has also supported the ongoing ambassadorship of actor, singer and triathlete Matteo Guidicelli as IPOPHL’s “face of anti-piracy.” To note, GMA also has its own separate anti-piracy ambassador, Barbie Forteza, who leads the cast of the hit TV show “Maria Clara at Ibarra.”

During the ceremony, Yalong expressed his optimism in GMA’s greater impact to raise IP awareness through the MOU, hoping to help more viewers and even its content users learn the right ways in respecting others’ IP rights. 

“It will also help us educate the users of our video and audio simply because it will also be a protection for them… It’s a protection for both the creators and the viewers, ‘di lang one way (it’s not just one way),” Yalong added. 

With the support of GMA and IPOPHL, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) has organized a recent anti-piracy symposium to promote a safe and reliable IP environment for the entertainment industry. Both parties have also hosted a Special Workshop on IP for GMA’s artists and employees to strengthen their awareness of their rights and responsibilities as creators.

Deputy Director General Ann Claire C. Cabochan emphasized the common goal of both offices towards a society valuing respect for IP. 

“Through this collaboration, IPOPHL and GMA aim to lead by example by taking the much needed steps to provide the public access to authentic and high-quality content. By doing so, we are committing to our shared goal to encourage respect for IP.” Cabochan said. # # # (Hannah Dione Lucero, Media Relations Officer)