Protect intellectual property rights

They're cheap, they're available, and Filipinos have the machines to run them. But those pirated digital video discs, video compact discs and CD-ROMs now proliferating in Metro Manila are also getting the Philippines in trouble. The country has already been included in an annual "Special 301" list prepared by the US Trade Representative, meaning the Philippines could face trade sanctions from the United States if no reforms are made to improve protection of intellectual property rights (IPR). Now American firms want the Philippines downgraded from the Special 301 list to the Priority Watchlist of the most rampant IPR violators.

The government, which is protesting the Philippines' inclusion in the Special 301 list, is naturally opposing the downgrading to the Priority Watchlist. Malacañang pointed out that the government continues to enhance legislation to protect IPR and that designated courts handle IPR cases. Presidential Spokesman Fernando Barican blamed the rights holders for lacking perseverance to pursue their cases "to the end" in Philippine courts. He also said the Philippines has one of the lowest incidences of piracy in Southeast Asia.

There are rules protecting IPR in this country, and the rules are enforced. Major outlets and store chains generally avoid selling pirated products, partly for fear of being caught, and partly because the quality of such products is often inferior and could ruin a store chain's name. There are still pirated VHS and cassette tapes, but they can be found mostly in small neighborhood outlets and sidewalks.

In recent months, however, pirated DVDs, VCDs and CD-ROMs have proliferated, particularly in the bargain centers of Manila. You can easily spot the pirated copies -- titles and artists' names are often misspelled. Run these cheap knockoffs on your machines and you'll get grainy video and lousy audio. Some video and computer outlets have stocked up on these pirated copies. Enforcers of IPR rules must crack down on these outlets if the government wants out of the Special 301 list. The crackdown will also protect consumers, whose machines can be ruined by defective pirated copies.