Movie Industry Convene to Strengthen Resolve Against Movie Piracy

The Motion Picture Anti Film Piracy Council (MPAFPC), the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) and the Motion Picture Association (MPA) together with the film producers/distributors and cinema operators nationwide conducted a workshop led by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in order to discuss concerns in the implementation and enforcement of the Republic Act 10088, also known as the Anti-Camcording Law.

The workshop aims to bring industry stakeholders together to reinforce the country’s commitment in eradicating film piracy in the country by providing clear guidelines on procedures regarding the arrest, detainment and filing of criminal charges against illegal camcorders, through to their conviction and punishment.

“We want to ensure that everyone is on the same page in implementing the law, and that everyone has a clear understanding of the execution of their duties in bringing IP offenders to justice,” said Atty. Joji Alonso, Legal Counsel of the MPAFPC. “By conducting this workshop, we believe that issues can be resolved and that industry stakeholders can make the Anti-Camcording Law a more effective deterrent against movie piracy.”

Prior to the onset of the MMFF in December 2014, the workshop is being conducted to help the security personnel and theater staff of local cinemas prepare accordingly against possible illegal camcording incidences, not just of international titles but also of the upcoming Filipino movies that will be shown during the MMFF.

“Many Filipinos are still not aware that illegal camcording is a form of theft,” said MMFF Over-All Chairman Atty. Francis N. Tolentino. “When film pirates make illegal copies of an original work, they deprive the artists of their hard-earned revenues. This can cripple the Filipino filmmaking industry, and stifle local producers from creating home-grown movies that we all love and enjoy.”

One of the key highlights of the workshop was the launch of the MPAFPC’s newest movie trailer that takes on a more serious tone on movie piracy. The trailer presents the point of view of law enforcers as played by Derek Ramsey. The trailer will begin airing in local cinemas soon in an effort to raise public awareness on the repercussions of illegal camcording,

“The PNP is the lead law enforcement agency in enforcing the Anti-Camcording Law,” said Police Director Benjamin Magalong, Director – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CDIG), PNP. “We are serious in enforcing the Anti-Camcording Law and apprehending offenders. We will work more closely with all the industry stakeholders to ensure that these offenders are brought to justice.”

Filipinos are also encouraged to play a part in upholding the Anti-camcording Law by reporting any suspected incidence of illegal camcording in cinemas, and by refraining from obtaining pirated copies of movies either as CDs and DVDs or downloading them from illegal sites.