IPOPHL partners with KBP to reach more Filipinos and firm up push for Broadcasting Treaty

Aiming to help Filipinos embrace the benefits of the intellectual property (IP) system, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has partnered with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the country’s leading organization of broadcasting networks.

Last October 16, 2024, IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba, KBP President Noel C. Galvez (also the president of Vanguard Radio Network) and KBP Chairperson Ruperto “Jun” S. Nicdao, Jr (also the president of Manila Broadcasting Company) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cement the partnership.

Also present at the event were IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire C. Cabochan and KBP Vice-Chairperson Herman Z. Basbaño (also the Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Bombo Radyo) as witnesses.

“Today, IPOPHL taps into the power of broadcasting to make our voice louder, to be heard by more Filipinos and to be truly understood when we talk about what IP means to their lives and ambitions,” Barba said.

Under the MOU, the KBP commits to aid IPOPHL in broadening the reach of its media communication campaign by bridging the Office to its large pool of national and regional broadcasting partners.

For its part, IPOPHL will help KBP members gain deeper knowledge about IP and how to best protect their IP rights amid the evolving digital landscape.

IPOPHL also commits to strengthen its push for the Protection of Broadcasts and Broadcasting Organizations Treaty or the Broadcast Treaty proposed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to benefit the local broadcasting industry.

The proposed treaty aims to update protection for new broadcasting technologies and provide broadcasters with some copyright-like control over the content of their broadcasts. International rules safeguarding television broadcasts from piracy have not been updated since the 1961 Rome treaty when the Internet is not yet in existence.

Both IPOPHL and KBP commit to support each other in realizing their shared goal of empowering more Filipinos with information and deeper understanding on the protection and enforcement of IP rights.

KBP’s Nicdao also emphasized the importance of IP to the broadcasting industry and affirmed the organization’s commitment to lend its voice to the cause of artists, inventors and entrepreneurs in the country.

“For the broadcasting industry, IP rights hold as much importance in protecting the value of our stations. KBP commits to stand as a key partner to IPOPHL’s awareness and media communication goals, promising to make IP move to the top-of-mind of people of Filipinos as a growth strategy when talking about innovation and creativity,” Nicdao said.

The KBP is a non-profit organization established in 1973 with the intent to promote responsible broadcasting and develop industry standards. It also aims to uphold press freedom and enhance public service through various media outlets.

Today, the KBP has 123 member networks operating over 1,000 TV and radio stations nationwide. (Janina Lim/IPOPHL)