OMB files complaints vs. alleged online 'pirates' of MMFF 2020 films

The Optical Media Board on Tuesday filed criminal complaints against 15 suspects allegedly involved in the online piracy of 2020 Metro Manila Film Fest movies.

The complaints were filed before the Department of Justice on Tuesday, according to a report by Mariz Umali on GMA News' Unang Balita on Wednesday.

"The pieces of evidence that we gathered against them ay 'yung mga posts nila, mga social media posts nila, mga videos, at 'yung mga actual posts nila na ino-offer nila for sale 'yung mga movies. Naka-name 'yung mga movies sa actual posts nila, pati na rin 'yung mga pictures nila doon sa social media. Kasi we verified, itong mga finilean namin, these are real persons," OMB Chief Legal Counsel Atty. Cyrus Valenzuela said.

"Du'n sa parang post nila, nakasulat 'yung names ng movies, even 'yung amount kung magkano. And may instructions pa sila on how to download the same and kung paano magbayad doon sa, kasi may modes of payment sila na online," he said.

"This is a test case. We are hoping they will be indicted for this," Valenzuela said.

From the original P250 price for watching a movie, the fee charged for the pirated films range from P10 to P20 per film.

"Before 'pag may nilabas na pirated version, usually cinema copy 'yan, 'yung kinopy sa loob ng sinehan. But now, it is easier for them to get 'yung clear copy because online nga available. Basically, baka may isa sa kanila mag-a-avail online and then they would record it ng clear copy," Valenzuela said.

The OMB said it has discovered 49 websites offering pirated films but this number may still go up. 

Upstream.ph is the only website licensed to show MMFF 2020 entries.

"Kapag nagkakaroon ng mga piracy at kapag pinagnanakawan natin ang mga producer at ang, eh baka wala nang mag-produce. Kayo rin. Gusto natin ng quality pictures sa Pilipinas. Gusto rin natin ng sustainable showbiz industry sa Pilipinas. Tayo po ay suportahan natin ang pelikulang Pilipino," Upstream.ph spokesperson Jovit Moya said.

"It’s such a big problem. One of the links we found to the film had 45,000 views. Imagine, 'di ba. So ilan? Kung 45 [thousand] x P250, 'yan 'yung nawala na kita sa film. And that’s only one link. It’s going to be hard for indie filmmakers to make their money back kasi pinipirata lang mga films nila. Number 2, magiging mahirap na 'no na mag-progress 'yung Philipipine entertainment to the digital sphere kasi pinipirata lang 'yung content eh," film producer Quark Henares said.

The group Aktor Inc. also condemned the online piracy plaguing the film industry.

"Nais naming ihayag ang aming lungkot at dismaya dahil nagawa pa rin ng mga piratang lantarang nakawin ang mga pelikulang inihain ng aming industriya nitong nakaraang MMFF," Aktor Inc. said in a statement.

Authorities already formed an anti-piracy task force to go after online piracy perpetrators.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialago warned those involved in online piracy that they will be hunted down.

"Ang pagpipirata po ay isang krimen pero tila may impunity na 'yung mga nagpapasaway. Bagamat mahirap pero nate-trace namin sila. Mahuhuli at mahuhuli po sila," Pialago said. MMDA is the organizer of the annual MMFF.

Three arrested

Meanwhile, the OMB has arrested three suspects in recent raids conducted on Recto Avenue in Manila and Nepa Q-Mart in Quezon City.

The suspects have already undergone inquest proceedings.

"Sising-sisi po. Sana nga po, mapatawad ako. Kung ano na lang 'yung paninda ko, 'yun na lang paninda ko," one suspect said.

Those found guilty of pirating movies may face up to 12 years imprisonment and up to P100,000 in fines. —KG, GMA News