IPOPHL recommends blocking, disabling access to piracy websites

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has recommended blocking, disabling access to six domains and subdomains for pirate websites.

The IPOPHL requested internet service providers to block SFlix sites, namely sflix.to, sflix.se, sflix.is, MyFlixer sites, namely myflixerz.to, myflixertv.to, and myflixer.today.

A copy of the requests was sent to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and four internet service providers.

The requests were the result of complaints presented by the Motion Pictures Association Inc. (MPA) to the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Office.

The studios of MPA members include Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery.

“These websites have neither authority nor permission, from the rightsholders, expressed or implied, to make available, publish, copy, print, reproduce, use, or make available for download or for streaming in any manner of any of the Rightsholders’ copyrighted works,” the MPA said in a statement.

The copyrighted films that were pirated include “Shazam!”, “Raya and the Last Dragon”, “Girls Trip”, “Day Shift”, “Jumanji: The Next Level” and “Top Gun: Maverick.”

No contact details of the website owner or administrator are available despite the exhaustion of all reasonable means, according to the IPOPHL.

The complaint stated that the websites violated the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

“By hosting pirated content and allowing users to access illegal copies through downloading or streaming, Respondents undermine the exclusive rights of Complainants,” the complaint read.

“IPOPHL is committed to safeguard the rights of artists and the opportunities that could shape the future of the Philippine creative economy. As an ex-officio member of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, IPOPHL is one with the nation in fighting bad actors that derail efforts in cultivating a safe creative environment for artists,” IPOPHL Deputy Director General Nathaniel Arevalo said in a statement.

With this, stakeholders of the creative and intellectual property (IP) industry in the country renewed their call against online piracy which cause them financial losses.

In 2022, the Philippines lost around $781 million due to the piracy of Filipino-made TV shows and movies, according to the IPOPHL.

IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba earlier estimated that the Philippines will have around $1 billion in revenue leakage in 2027 if concerns regarding online piracy continue.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), piracy takes away around 7.1% of the country's gross domestic product.

The IPOPHL also said that revising the 27-year-old IP code and mandating authorities to disable access to online sites infringing copyrighted materials will be much welcomed, noting that they have been advocating for its amendment and are ready to implement it once passed.

The IPOPHL, NTC, and internet service providers are only teaming up to put up stopgap measures to block sites with pirated content.

Two separate bills, Senate Bills 2150 and 2385, are currently filed in the Upper Chamber to amend the IP code and remove its existing limitations to cover electronic and online content within the definition of pirated goods. — BAP, GMA Integrated News