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Philippines aims to lower piracy rate in 2006

13.12.2005
The Business Software Alliance, a nonprofit trade association promoting the use of licensed software, has expressed hopes of having a significantly lower piracy rate in 2006. Tarun Sawney, BSA director of Anti-Piracy for Asia, recently commended the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team (PAPT) for its progress in the local campaign against software piracy. With a current piracy rate of 71 percent in the Philippines -- relatively higher than the 53 percent average in Asia -- Sawney acknowledged that there is definitely still a lot of work to be done. Sawney, however, expressed optimism over the continuing progress the PAPT has achieved in curbing software piracy in the country.

The PAPT, composed of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Optical Media Board (OMB), and the Philippine National Police (PNP), began its crackdown of businesses using, selling, and distributing unlicensed software in September, 30 days after a warning period was announced. Other than its primary focus on companies using pirated or unlicensed software, the crackdown also included raids against stores selling pirated software.

Sawney said that since the PAPT began its campaign, public response has been overwhelming; calls to the BSA Anti-Piracy hotline have increased significantly. Since August, the BSA has received over 600 calls, most of which are reports on companies using unlicensed software, while some are queries and requests for information on the use of legal software. 'The campaign has had a very dramatic effect on creating awareness about the legal use of software,' said Sawney.

One other significant effect of the PAPT campaign is the evident increase in awareness of the business sector of the importance of using legitimate software. 'We have also received a great number of calls from companies willing to comply and some voluntarily asking advice in auditing their software programs,' said Sawney.

The PAPT is a very good start, said Sawney, but he stressed that the rate of piracy also has a lot to do with the effectiveness of Intellectual Property laws in a country and the execution of these laws. 'Awareness, education, and respect for such laws, on the part of businesses, also play a part,' he added. Right now, there are eight cases in the legal system filed in various courts in the country, some dating back to 1997 that are still waiting for results, said Sawney. 'What we want is the establishment of IP courts specialized in IP protection.'

The BSA is, however, hopeful that, with the help of the government, IP law enforcement in the country would improve. According to Sawney, the IPO is supportive of the campaign and is currently exploring the establishment of IP courts in the country. One of the bills that are being considered in the house, said the BSA director, is also punishing landlords or mall owners that allow the open selling of pirated material or let a space in their property be used for illegal activity.