US creative sector warns on IP reforms

The American creative sector has expressed alarm over proposed legislative measures that seek to overhaul the Philippines' Intellectual Property (IP) Code, with an influential lobby group warning that the move could erode the country's copyright protection.

- BY DEXTER BARRO II

International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) told the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) that the US government should monitor developments in the Philippines concerning efforts to amend the IP Code.

IIPA is the umbrella organization of the American creative sector, representing a total of 3,200 companies producing and distributing materials protected by copyright laws across the globe.

The group's member associations include the Association of American Publishers (AAP), Entertainment Software Association (ESA), Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), Motion Picture Association (MPA), and Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

In a position paper submitted to the USTR last month and seen by Manila Bulletin, IIPA pushed for stronger government-to-government engagement with the Philippines “to ensure their legislative proposals result in adequate and effective copyright protection and enforcement.”

IIPA noted that several bills filed in Congress could “significantly weaken, not strengthen, copyright protections or enforcement.”

These measures, if enacted, could also serve as barriers to trade.