The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has ordered internet service providers (ISPs) to block multiple websites found illegally streaming Filipino movies as part of its intensified crackdown on online piracy.
The agency said it issued two site-blocking requests targeting platforms that carried pirated content from Viva Communications Inc. and its streaming services Vivamax and Viva One.
It said the first request covered 13 Freecine-related sites, including freecineplus.com and freecine.ph, after Viva reported that the platform had been offering copyrighted titles such as Bedspace, Dilig, and Room Service without license or authorization.
The second blocking request was filed against Asyaminik (asyaminik.com), which allegedly hosted Viva One titles, including Chasing in the Wild and Safe Skies Archer, and allowed full copies of the films to be downloaded for offline viewing, a clear violation of Viva’s intellectual property rights.
Both actions were implemented by IPOPHL’s enforcement division under Memorandum Circular No. 23-025, or the Rules on Voluntary Administrative Site Blocking, which enables prompt cooperation between the agency and ISPs in curbing online piracy.
“IPOPHL’s ongoing anti-piracy drive signals our continued commitment to protecting the intellectual property rights of the Philippine creative industries, which serve as a vital driver of our economy,” said IPOPHL acting director-general Nathaniel Arevalo.
The latest site-blocking measures coincide with the celebration of National Anti-Piracy Month this October, pursuant to Proclamation No. 596 signed in 2018, which seeks to raise public awareness on the impact of media piracy and counterfeiting on the economy.
Arevalo said IPOPHL would continue using all available tools, including site-blocking measures, to take action against entities that illegally distribute creative works to maintain a safe and secure online environment where Filipino artists can freely showcase their creations.
“Every small deed makes a difference. Let us all defend the digital space in any way we can so legitimate creators can thrive,” Arevalo said, as he called on the public to support legitimate streaming platforms.
