Advocacy group prods senators to act on 2 measures seeking to amend IP Code

An advocacy group is urging two senators to act on two pending measures which seek to amend the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, saying existing laws remain helpless against online piracy.

“Cyber criminals like digital hackers have relentlessly exploited the vulnerabilities of our ourdated IPC which resulted in losses of the much needed govt revenues,” said Pet Climaco, secretary general of Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente.

The BKKK leader was referring to Senate Bills 2150 and 2385 filed separately by Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, respectively.

These bills have remained unacted upon in the Senate after the change of committee chairmanships when the new chamber’s leadership took over a few months back.

Senator Mark Villar previously chaired the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, and led the public hearings of Senate Bill Nos. 2150 and 2385.

The committee is now being chaired by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who has yet to announce an update on the status of the two proposed measures.

“Mahalaga itong intellectual property na ito. Mas lalong mauunawaan ito ni Senator Chiz [Escudero] dahil isa siyang abogado…Since abogado naman ‘yung chair (Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano) ng komite na ito, napakahalaga na ipaunawa ang intellectual property, na kapag may mga piracy eh malinaw na isang uri ito ng pagnanakaw,” Climaco stressed.

“Isa pa dyan, mawawala ang tiwala sa ating ng buong mundo kapag itong intellectual property law natin ay hindi matatag,” he pointed out.

These bills gained backing from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the private sector, and celebrities as the amendment of the IPC will address issues on online piracy.

According to IPOPHL, due to online piracy, the country has lost $781 million in 2022 and if remains unaddressed, the revenue loss will increase up to $1 billion.

It also noted the drastic decline in the incidence of piracy in countries where site blocking was implemented.

Moreover, the Department of Trade and Industry expressed support for the amendment of the IPC, saying “the country needs to have a strong law on intellectual property to protect intellectual property owners against piracy and counterfeiting.”

The Department of Information and Communications Technology, on the other hand, has also urged the senators to pass the bills “amid the evolving technological complexities in cybercrimes” as the IP Code should “have a strong defense to repel digital theft.”