Lawmaker wants buyers of pirated films jailed

MANILA, Philippines - An administration lawmaker is calling for the imposition of stiffer penalties not only for “pirates” of Filipino movies, but fines and jail time for people caught actually buying pirated copies of local films.

“If we are serious and determined to help revitalize the local movie industry, we must put a stop to this widespread crime, which the buying public actively take part in,” Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, chairman of the House committee on public information, said.

He said the Anti-Camcording Act of 2010 (Republic Act 10088), which prohibits unauthorized recording of cinematographic films or its soundtrack, as well as the Optical Media Act of 2003 (Republic Act 9239), have failed to discourage the purchase of pirated movies.

He said buying a pirated movie “is worse than buying a stolen item as it robs creative artists of their painstaking work. It had displaced hundreds of talents and skilled workers in the movie industry.”

He urged Filipino producers to find an effective way to protect their films and make original copies available at affordable prices after commercial screening.

He also vowed to make a congressional inquiry into the failed campaign against the movie piracy.