P-Noy supports fight against music piracy

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino backs the campaign against music piracy.

Speaking at the launching of the OPM2Go website, Aquino said the online music store would help stop the proliferation of pirated Filipino music, as well as protect intellectual property rights of Filipino musicians and artists.

“We are aware that for every illegal downloading of music or purchasing or pirated albums, OPM (Original Pilipino Music) artists are the ones who get hit primarily,” he said.

“They are not earning anything. What’s painful here is that we know that with their talents, much dedication is poured into their songs. That is why we must be able to return their perseverance.”

Aquino said music piracy did not only affect artists and musicians, but also the music industry in general.

“If we do not give our musicians enough incentives, they might exchange their guitars and pens for jobs that can put food on the table,” he said.

Aquino said a window of opportunity for musicians, composers and singers to create masterpieces might narrow, if not close completely, which would result in lesser outputs for the people and the music industry in general.

Aquino said the online music store would open the doors for Filipino music to the Philippines and abroad.

“The OPM2Go website would be a success,” he added.

Aquino thanked the people behind the project, including businessman Manuel Pangilinan.

He lauded singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid Jr., OPM2GO Inc. chairman and Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) president,for the project.

The OPM2Go website aims to become the online repository for all Filipino music.

Through the newly unveiled website, Filipino artists will be able to economically and rapidly release their material.

The website aims to provide a distribution avenue for artists, bands, and musicians so they may be able to reach a broader audience.

It was publicly unveiled during its launch in Quezon City on Wednesday night.