For Immediate ReleaseAugust 9, 2010

Anti-Camcording Law of 2010 Strictly Implemented by PNP and Supported by Private Sector

Joint Efforts Initiated to Intensify Campaign Against Film Piracy

August 9, 2010, Manila, Philippines – The Republic Act 10088, better known as the Anti-Camcording Act

of 2010 is now being enforced, allowing affected private parties to file proper complaints in court and hold

illegal camcorders to strict liability.

The Anti-Camcording Act prohibits and penalizes unauthorized use, possession, and control, with

the intent or attempt to use audiovisual recording devices to transmit or make a copy of any performance

in an exhibition facility of cinematographic film or other audiovisual work. Likewise, camcording activities

declared for private or domestic purposes is now also punishable by law as are aiding, abetting, or

conniving in such acts.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been designated as the lead agency to enforce and

implement the provisions of this Act, along with the support and cooperation of the National Bureau of

Investigation (NBI), Department of Justice (DOJ), National Cinema Association of the Philippines (NCAP),

the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council (MPAFPC), the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and local

film producers.

The fight against movie piracy in the country has further intensified with the signing of a

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the PNP, NBI, DOJ NCAP, MPAFPC, MPA and

associations of local film producers to coordinate the fight against illegal camcording. Authorities and the

industry stakeholders will jointly develop procedures and policies to be followed throughout the process of

apprehending, questioning, detaining, prosecuting and convicting illegal camcorders.

“We will be stalwart in our efforts to see that illegal camcorders be brought to justice,” said Police

Director General Jess Verzosa of the PNP. “With the law in place, and the entire industry collaborating to

ensure the law is upheld, the PNP is confident that the country will achieve success in its bid to minimize

– and eventually eradicate film piracy.”

Under the MOU, the PNP, NCAP and MPAFPC will undergo joint training at periodic workshops

and seminars to provide guidelines to police and cinema staff on the proper approach in implementing the

law.

”The NCAP welcomes the strong cooperation of the PNP and we are ready to ensure that proper

coordination is followed in handling illegal camcording cases,” said Atty. Rolando Dueñas, NCAP external

vice president. “Our members are committed to exercise vigilance in preventing illegal camcording in their

facilities and will ensure that staff are aptly prepared to respond when situations involving suspected

illegal camcorders arise.”

Under Section 7 of the Anti-Camcording Act, exhibition facilities are now mandated to

conspicuously display notices and signages at their premises including, but not limited to, ticket-selling

areas and theatre entrances to warn their patrons of the consequences of illegal camcording activities.

The industry is producing a new range of signages and trailer material that highlights the statutes of the

Anti-Camcording Law and the steps that cinemas are taking to prevent illegal camcording.

The Law also allows authorized persons, even without warrant and payment of admission fee or

any charge, to enter and search any exhibition facility, seize any audiovisual recording device, and detain

any person should they have reasonable ground to believe that a violation under this Act has been or is

being committed.

”The MPAFPC sees the Anti-Camcording Law as a positive step in the right direction, wherein

authorities and law enforcers, the private sector and the general public are all working together to stop

illegal camcording in cinemas,” said Atty. Joji Alonso, MPAFPC legal counsel. “While we, along with the

distributors, local producers, exhibitors and the PNP, are prepared to take the necessary action against

illegal camcording syndicates, we also hope that the public will play a part by reporting illegal camcording

incidents to cinema staff or authorities.”

The MPAFPC has developed manuals and workshop modules jointly with the PNP, which

will be shared with the cinemas so that staff can be trained on a standardized process of dealing

with suspected illegal camcorders.

”We commend the Philippine government for quickly establishing legislation that can serve to end

to the cycle of piracy in the country and renew global confidence in the country’s ability to uphold IP

rights,” said Mike Robinson, MPA America, chief of operations and senior vice president for content

protection. “As the first country in Southeast Asia to establish such a law, we hope that the Philippines

can serve as an example to other countries by proving the law’s success in stemming the flow of source

copies for pirated movies.”

With the cooperation and coordination of the private sector and the PNP for the strict enforcement

of the law’s provisions, as well as full government support, the Anti-Camcording Law is expected to

effectively bolster anti-piracy efforts, and send out a serious message that the Philippines is a nation that

fully respects intellectual property rights. However, the industry also calls for the public to stop patronizing

pirated movies, whether by buying pirated CDs and DVDs or downloading them illegally from the Internet,

as this fuels the demand for illegally camcorded material.

Any person who will be found guilty of violating the provisions of the Anti-Camcording Law shall

be subject to a fine of PhP 50,000 to PhP 750, 000 (US$ 1,000 to 17,000) and will face imprisonment of a

minimum six months and one day to six years and one day. Individuals who commit the punishable acts

for the purpose of sale, rental or other commercial distribution shall suffer the penalty in the maximum.

Foreign offenders shall face immediate deportation after payment of the fine and serving his/her

sentence, and will permanently be refused entry to the Philippines. Offenders who are employees of or

hold a seat in government will perpetually be disqualified from public office, and will forfeit his/her right to

vote and participate in public election for five (5) years.

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For more information, contact:Jinny JacariaStrategic Edge, Inc.Tel. #: (632) 892-0250Email: jjacaria@seinc.com.ph