The Intellectual Property of the Philippines (IP Philippines) has recently signed memoranda of agreement with three private organizations, namely the Business Software Alliance (BSA), the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA), and the Philippine Cable TV Association (PCTA) to formalize a joint initiative in the promotion and protection of intellectual property rights in their respective industries.
'The signing of agreements is part of the efforts of IP Philippines to strengthen and promote IPR in the software and pay television industries,' said IP Philippines director general Adrian Cristobal Jr. 'These follow similar partnerships and cooperation agreements that we have already forged with other IP stake holders to ensure that IP becomes a tool for national development.'
According to Cristobal, these agreements will also serve to strengthen public-private sector partnerships in the campaign against piracy and counterfeiting.
'I'd like to express appreciation and support for this drive to protect IP in the Philippines,' said Tarun Sawney, BSA director for Anti-Piracy in Asia who signed the MOA with Cristobal. According to Sawney, what would really make a difference to the protection of IP is leadership. 'And I'm very pleased to see that we are beginning to see that here,' he said.
PSIA president Fermin Taruc, for his part, said he is very happy to support this endeavor and sign the MOA with the IP office. 'IP protection for the local software industry creates value; it is a driver for the industry's growth,' he said.
'Piracy is threatening the very survival of the cable industry; I am therefore optimistic that with IP Philippines' support, PCTA will be able to impart the seriousness of this concern to the public,' said PCTA president Antonio Selda.
'Piracy is still a serious problem, there are still a lot of things to do,' acknowledged Cristobal, adding that this is why his office is putting effort into these joint projects with the private sector.
According to Cristobal, the MOA they each signed include provisions on joint activities and cooperation on: advocacy, information and education; training; and policy and legislation. The consignees will, therefore, take part in educating the public and targeted audiences like implementers of the law and creators of software programs. It will also look into legislation policies that hinder the development of these industries.
As part of the agreement, IP Philippines and the BSA have already hosted a special IPR law training for prosecutors, hearing officers, and enforcers. The training, which was held right after the MOA signing, focused on the complexities of prosecuting cases of software infringements and other IPR cases.
'We are looking at holding regular enforcement training and seminars, maybe once a month,' said Cristobal. 'If we combine our efforts we will be able to eradicate this eventually.'