IPOPHL, FDCP partner to strengthen IP in film industry and fight piracy

As part of supporting the celebration of the Philippine Cinema Month, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to intensify the protection of the intellectual property (IP) rights of the local film industry.

“As the film industry is an integral part of the Philippine creative industries, in turn, a high-value contributor to the economy, it is mission-critical to help local cinema restart and rebuild stronger para sa isang “Bagong SineMula” sa gitna man ng pandemya,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said during the MOU signing held last Sept. 23.

Citing local data, Barba noted that the local film industry was among the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. With this partnership, he said “IPOPHL strengthens its commitment to help the industry not only recover from the present pandemic but also prosper in the long term.”

Under the MOU, IPOPHL and FDCP will collaborate in the promotion of awareness, appreciation and enforcement of copyright among members of the film industry and the general public.

The two agencies will work together “to prevent and suppress all forms of piracy of Filipino films” both locally and globally, the MOU read.

While both agencies will establish programs to promote Philippine cinema globally, the main goal of the MOU will be the protection of the IP of the film industry, as well as the protection of the film cultural heritage of the country.

The MOU signing is seen to help curb the increase of piracy in the pandemic.

A survey by the regional group Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) and YouGov found that the Philippines has the highest piracy rates in Southeast Asia, with 49% of Filipino respondents admitting to using piracy streaming websites or torrent sites in the 12 months preceding October 2020.

Piracy was also largely blamed for the virtual 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival’s (MMFF) slump in revenues –– from P955 million in 2019 to only P31 million –– as pirates made illegal access to these films either for free or for P10 to P20 versus the MMFF ticket price of P250.

Barba said the signing of the MOU is a “first-step towards creating a stronger and more resilient Philippine film industry in the future through the protection of IPs.”