HR01588: A RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THROUGH THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CREATIVE INDUSTRY AND PERFORMING ARTS AND OTHER APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE REPORTED
This resolution urges the House of Representatives, specifically the Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts and other relevant committees, to conduct an investigation into reported cases of online piracy during the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The resolution highlights the drastic decline in MMFF revenues for 2020, with only ₱19 million generated compared to over ₱995 million in 2019, largely attributed to widespread online piracy where films were illegally offered for a fraction of the legitimate ticket price.
The resolution emphasizes the need to strengthen intellectual property rights protection to deter future piracy and support the creative industry, especially as it pivots towards digital platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While acknowledging the Optical Media Board's actions in filing charges against individuals involved in piracy, the resolution stresses that greater state protection is needed to safeguard the livelihoods of stakeholders in the film sector and promote a secure digital economy in line with the "4th Industrial Revolution".