OMB seizes P97M worth of pirated materials in June

The Optical Media Board (OMB) confiscated over P97 million worth of optical media discs and media production paraphernalia in June.  

In a report to Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila, OMB chairman Eduardo Manzano said hundreds of thousands of media discs and media production paraphernalia were seized during various operations in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

“The continued piracy activities of unscrupulous businessmen in the country, which completely disregards the rights of the creators and performers of films and musical recording, is a stumbling block to the economic growth of the country,” Favila stressed.

“Hopefully, with the dedicated enforcement operations of government authorities combined with the legal support for the enforcement of intellectual property rights, the Philippines will win the battle against piracy,” he added.  

OMB concentrated its campaign in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Caloocan, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Pasig City, Rizal specifically Antipolo, Cainta and Taytay, and Cavite specifically Bacoor, Imus and Dasmariñas.

In a statement, Favila said the importance of fighting piracy in the country. “The task of curbing the proliferation of unauthorized production, distribution and selling of CD and DVDs is a gargantuan task but we will try our best to erase the image of the Philippines as a haven of optical disks piracy,” said Favila. 

The crackdown on pirated materials has caused the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to downgrade the rating of the Philippines from being under priority watch list to lower level watch list.