Pirates on Board: An Assessment of the Actions Done by the Optical Media Board in Deterring Music and Video Piracy in the Philippines

Abstract

The problem of piracy is one of the concerns of local film industries. Severe cutting down of film production resulted as losses were experienced. Even businesses producing computer software’s expressed their sentiments against the chronic problem of piracy in the country. The Philippines is still included in the “watch list” of the United States in the intellectual property violators. Consequently, the country has adopted several changes to deal with the problem. One of the changes adopted was the reorganization of the Video gram Regulatory Board. This was replaced by the Optical Media Board (OMB) which is now headed by Eduardo Manzano. With the new board, it was expected that greater achievements will be accomplished regarding curtailing piracy in the country. Unfortunately, as evident in many places, particularly in Quiapo, piracy has not been solved nor has it been lessened. In fact, many people still opt to buy pirated discs because of their affordable prices. This study revealed the reasons why elimination of piracy is still not realized. There are factors which are actually beyond the control of the Optical Media Board. These factors include budgetary constraints and shortage in manpower. The Board has to deal with these internal limitations and settle with what the government had provided. In addition, outside factors also affects the operations of the Board. These are first, the politics behind the implementation of OMB’s activities, second, the judicial system in the Philippines, third, the local government unit, fourth, the general status of poverty in the Philippines, fifth, the general perception of people in the issues of piracy and artists’ protection, and last, the political will of the Arroyo administration. For the most part, these factors appear to be outside the domain of influence of the OMB. Hence, changes are hard to come by. However, the Optical Media Board also has its shortcomings as well. The Board needs to strengthen its information campaigns and coordination with other agencies; and employ rigid measures for the implementation of the law. The Board must also ensure the eradication or, at least, the lessening of the padrino system and espouse strict prosecution of cases.