Lead digital solutions platform Globe on Thursday lauded the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) for tackling the worrisome issue of illegal streaming devices in the market.
“We commend IPOPHL for taking proactive steps to crack down on illegal streaming devices. As a company committed to promoting innovation and creativity, we fully support efforts to protect intellectual property rights and combat digital piracy,” Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group chief sustainability and corporate communications officer, said.
“By working together with regulatory authorities, we can safeguard the interests of content creators and ensure a fair and competitive digital environment,” she added.
Globe has been pushing for stronger intellectual property protection in the Philippines, support legislation that seeks to amend the 26-year-old Intellectual Property Code to allow site blocking.
IPOPHL director general Rowel Barba recently bared working with the National Telecommunications Commission and go after illegal streaming devices, also called blackboxes, in the absence of a law regulating the activity.
This follows a campaign initiated by United States authorities against the illegal devices that allow users to access copyrighted content through a one-time payment. Similar to piracy, this illicit activity is a significant threat to content creators and distributors.
Globe has been at the forefront of the fight against digital piracy through its PlayRight campaign, which aims to educate the public on the importance of consuming content from legitimate sources and respecting intellectual property rights. The campaign emphasizes the negative impact of piracy on the creative industry, including job and revenue loss among creatives.
The creative industry contributed P1.6 trillion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, roughly seven percent of the total, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. This was lower than the 7.5 percent reported in 2018 attributed to piracy.
“We urge consumers to be aware of the risks associated with illegal streaming devices and to support legitimate content providers. By choosing legal and licensed platforms, consumers can contribute to the growth of the creative industry and enjoy high-quality content in a sustainable manner,” Crisanto said.
