Globe backs bill vs online piracy

MANILA, Philippines — Telco giant Globe Telecom Inc. has expressed its support for the proposed bill mandating the blocking of websites that illegally distribute copyrighted material like videos, music and gaming.

Senate Bill 2109 or the Philippine Online Infringement Act, which was filed recently by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, seeks to enable the Intellectual Property Office, through the National Telecommunications Commission, to cancel the licenses of internet service providers that allow illicit websites to infringe or facilitate infringement of copyright.

Globe president and chief executive officer Ernest Cu, who recently joined the board of directors of the international group Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA), said the legislation would help put a stop to the growing online piracy which has impacted original content creators and the Philippine entertainment industry.

“The economic and social impact of online piracy is profound. Revenue loss are in millions and thousands of jobs are affected due to a myriad of illegal streaming websites and illicit streaming devices or ISDs. More importantly, these illegal sites and devices put customers at risk not only because of its content but specifically, malware,” Cu said.

According to Globe, the country continues to be a haven for cyber criminals who illegally make content available online, especially with new technologies like ISDs.

The company said it is also a growing concern in Asia, including Singapore and Thailand.

A study commissioned by the AVIA showed that 15 percent of Singaporean consumers use a TV box or ISD for free streaming of hundreds of pirated television channels and video-on-demand content, while over 45 percent of consumers in Thailand are using these illegal TV boxes.