As the recent survey by global public opinion and data company YouGov showed the Philippines recording a 70% surge in illegal video streaming, telecommunications company Globe continues its efforts to help curb online piracy.
The survey commissioned by the Asia Video Industry Association’s (AVIA) Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) revealed that the Philippines has the second-highest piracy rate in the Asia Pacific (Apac) region, closely following Vietnam at 71%.
Despite widespread awareness of the adverse effects of piracy — such as malware risks and the damage to local industries — Filipinos continue to be drawn to the appeal of free online content. About 92% of survey respondents acknowledged understanding these negative impacts.
Anti-piracy enforcement
Globe emphasized the critical need to enhance anti-piracy enforcement.
“This worrying trend highlights the urgency of strengthening enforcement against piracy, which can be done through amending the Intellectual Property Code to enable site blocking,” said Yoly Crisanto, chief sustainability and corporate communications officer at Globe. “We believe this will go a long way in curbing content piracy, which will in turn support the creative industry and protect our customers from the dangers posed by pirated content.”
In response to the growing piracy issue, Globe has expressed its support to Senate bills aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ Intellectual Property Code. These legislative measures include provisions for site-blocking, a strategy viewed as crucial for protecting content creators’ livelihoods and safeguarding consumers from the hazards of pirated media.
As a member of both the AVIA-CAP and the Video Coalition of the Philippines, Globe has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and other Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This MOU establishes a site-blocking mechanism to counteract pirate sites, marking a pioneering effort in Asia to combat the unauthorized distribution of pirated content.
These actions align with Globe’s ongoing #PlayItRight campaign, which focuses on raising public awareness about the importance of intellectual property protection. The campaign also aims to protect the nation’s P1.6-trillion creative industry and shield consumers from the risks associated with piracy.
The increasing incidence of online piracy in the Philippines underscores the need for robust enforcement and legislative measures to protect both the creative sector and consumers from the pervasive threat of illegal streaming.