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Change Your Life! |
U.S. group claims Philippine copyright piracy worsening |
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News |
April 11, 2000 MANILA, APR 10 (AP) - A coalition of seven trade associations representing U.S. copyright-based industries has petitioned the U.S government to put the Philippines back on the list of the world's worst violators of intellectual property rights because of the proliferation of bootlegged video compact discs and CD-ROMs.
The Philippines was removed from the category three years ago after the passage of the country's Intellectual Priority Rights Code of 1997, which imposed hefty fines and imprisonment on transgressors.
If the Philippines is put back in the watch list, it would mean stricter monitoring and stiffer penalties from the U.S. government.
The International Intellectual Property Alliance said piracy in the Philippines affects a wide range of industries, including optical media, cable television and books. The IIPA estimated that U.S. companies lost $114.5 million in 1999, up from $110.1 million in 1998, because of piracy in the Philippines.
"Without fundamental improvements in enforcement, a further deterioration of the market is a real threat," the IIPA said in a statement.
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