The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Motion Picture Association (MPA) called for the swift passage of a site-blocking law to strengthen the creative economy and protect Filipinos from cyber threats.
“A site-blocking law will support our creative economy and open new doors for Filipino artists,” said IPOPHL director-general Rowel Barba, emphasizing the law’s importance as the sector’s contribution to the Philippine gross domestic product declined from 7.5 percent in 2019 to 7.1 percent in 2023.
The agency expressed optimism the proposed law would be approved before the upcoming election.
MPA senior executive vice president and global general counsel Karyn Temple highlighted the global success of site-blocking laws. “Our experience in nearly 60 countries shows that site blocking is a powerful tool against piracy, especially where the most visited sites are operated overseas,” she said.
The MPA represents major US film studios including Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Netflix Studios, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal City Studios and Warner Bros. Discovery.
