Globe Telecom Inc. has signed an agreement with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and four other internet service providers (ISPs) to establish a site-blocking mechanism against pirate sites.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by various stakeholders is the first in Asia and second in the world which aims to establish a voluntary site-blocking practice against the unauthorized distribution and sale of pirated content over the internet and set an example for other stakeholders who are not yet signatories to the MOU.
It also outlines the general principles and procedures for site blocking, emphasizing collaboration between ISPs and IPOPHL, and ensuring compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
“What we are doing today is such an important step in the absence of a site-blocking law. We are no longer tied up. We can do something about piracy,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group chief sustainability and communications officer, at the MOU signing on September 20.
“Just as we have taken our advocacy to such great lengths, we’re fully committed to stopping piracy. And hopefully, in the digital economy, the Philippines can start looking forward to a creative industry that is robust and free from all these challenges,” Crisanto added.
Site-blocking is among proposed amendments to the Intellectual Property Code, with measures pending in Congress.
With this, Globe is hoping for a more robust, institutionalized mechanism for site-blocking under the law, as this would penalize offenders and make site-blocking a matter of course for ISPs.
Globe supports the swift approval of two bills currently under Senate review, introduced by Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla, following the passage of House Bill No. 7600 by Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda in the House of Representatives last May.
These legislative efforts aim to refine Republic Act No. 8293 and empower IPOPHL to initiate site-blocking measures against copyright-infringing sites.
