Cebu Businessmen Urged to Join Fight Against Piracy

Strategic Insights -

Cebu businessmen have been called upon by trade officials to join the fight against piracy, which is not only affecting the cinema business but also threatening the livelihood of furniture manufacturers by copying their designs. Intellectual property rights are being abused, and the city's performance in the fight against piracy needs to improve if Cebu wants to become an ICT hub. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Cebu Provincial Office has urged more stakeholders to join the Intellectual property (IP) Alliance to prevent the abuse of intellectual property rights and to help Cebu businesses understand and avail themselves of intellectual property protection.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Cebu Provincial Office has formed the Intellectual property (IP) Alliance-Cebu to fight against piracy and protect intellectual property rights.
  • The IP Alliance-Cebu has 7 members, including the DTI-Cebu, National Bureau of Investigation, and Business Software Alliance (BSA).
  • Intellectual property includes original artistic and literary creations, inventions, industrial designs, and trade secrets.
  • If unprotected, intellectual property can be pirated, and owners can lose out on profits.
  • Cebu's entrepreneurial market stands to lose a lot from piracy, which affects arts and crafts, music, and inventions.
  • Lawyer Andrew Ong of IPRotect Cebu has expressed willingness to assist exporters register their intellectual property with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
  • Companies can trademark their names with the IPO to prevent disputes over similar names.
  • The IPO will introduce online registration next year, making it easier for businesses to register their intellectual property.
  • Furniture exporters can prevent piracy by getting a patent registration in countries where their products are sold.
  • The cinema industry has been heavily affected by piracy, with 38 theaters in Cebu closing down due to the use of pirated DVD movies.

Statistics:

  • There are approximately 500 theaters left in the whole country, down from 900 (no specific date mentioned).
  • Cebu's entrepreneurial market is expected to lose a lot from piracy.
  • 38 theaters in the downtown Cebu area have closed down due to piracy.
  • The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) will introduce online registration next year.
  • The IPO has an online search tool (www.ipophil.gov.ph) for checking registered trademarks and trade names.

Sources:

  • Trade officials urge Cebu businessmen to fight against piracy (Asia Pulse, 14 Dec).
  • DTI-Cebu Director Nelia Navarro calls for improved performance in fight against piracy (Asia Pulse, 14 Dec).
  • Lawyer Andrew Ong of IPRotect Cebu offers assistance in registering intellectual property (Asia Pulse, 14 Dec).
  • Valeriano "Bibit" Avila shares experience of cinema industry affected by piracy (Asia Pulse, 14 Dec).
  • (PNA) 14-12 1916 (no specific date or publication date mentioned).