Group urged Senate to pass anti-online piracy bill

A consumer group has urged the Senate to act on the anti-online piracy bill, saying it is an urgent concern as technology evolves overtime.

"Nakapanlulumo ang patuloy na pagkakabinbin ng mga panukalang batas sa Senado na may layuning protektahan ang ating mga artista, manlilikha, at mamimili mula sa mga mapanlinlang at ilegal na operasyon sa internet," Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) convenor Atty. Karry Sison said in a statement.

Senate Bill Nos. 2150 and 238, seeking to amend the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, have been pending in the Senate.

Creative industry stakeholders have been calling for the passage of the measure amid the unabated infringement of the intellectual property rights which had reportedly caused a huge loss in the industry income and government revenues.

"Matagal nang hinihiling ng mga apektadong sektor ang pagpapatupad ng site blocking upang pigilan ang mga website na patuloy na kumikita mula sa ipinagbabawal na distribusyon ng mga pelikula, musika, at iba pang likhang sining," Sison said.

Senator Mark Villar, during his tenure as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, spearheaded public hearings on the bills introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Bong Revilla.

The committee is now chaired by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Earlier, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines said that due to online piracy, the country has lost $781 million in 2022 and if remained unaddressed, the revenue loss would increase up to $1 billion.

Aside from revenue loss, the group also raised concerns over digital security threats such as scams and cyberattacks that would continue to increase if the online piracy will remain unaddressed.

"Ngunit hindi lang ito tungkol sa sining at kita. Ang online piracy ay may mas malalim pang epekto—naglalagay ito sa peligro sa ating digital na seguridad," Sison said.

"Maraming Pilipino ang hindi nakakaalam na sa bawat pagbisita nila sa mga website ng piratang nilalaman, ibinubukas nila ang kanilang sarili sa malware, phishing, at iba pang cyber threats na maaaring magdulot ng pagnanakaw ng kanilang personal na impormasyon. Isa itong seryosong banta na hindi maaaring ipagsawalang-bahala," she added.

GMA News Online sought comment on the matter but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.—Hana Bordey/AOL, GMA Integrated News