Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), Japan’s leading anti-piracy group, and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) signed an MOU in a bid to strengthen the stand against online piracy and ensure better content distribution internationally.

The MOU will enable both countries to enact and enforce laws in their own jurisdictions to protect copyrighted content, monitor online piracy and take down websites that host content (manga, novels and other sorts) illegally.

“This MOU will be a game-changer in our fight against piracy, a matter we must urgently address amid heightened IP violations during the pandemic,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba said.

He also added that “cross-border collaboration can help keep the wheels of creativity moving forward and help open greater international opportunities to the Philippine creative industry”.

The agreement will also help in building a co-operation mechanism to ensure a seamless exchange of information, research work, data and trends that will enhance the fight against piracy.

“IPOPHL remains committed to building partnerships and collaborations not only within the Philippines but also globally to ensure maximum impact through shared resources,” IPOPHL Deputy Director General Teodoro C. Pascua said.

CODA and IPOPHL agreed to develop policies in consultation with each other, as part of the understanding. These policies will be aimed to achieve the common goal of increasing awareness and learning to respect the Intellectual Property rights.

CODA Senior Executive Director Takero Goto, while praising IPOPHL for its role in protection and promotion of IPs, also thanked them for their assistance in establishing the International Anti-Piracy Organisation (IAPO), an organization which will be dedicated to tackling illegal online distribution of anime, manga, and similar copyrighted content.

Copyright protection organizations from about 13 nations will join forces to form the international body aimed at combating piracy worldwide.

All of these moves are a part of Japan’s effort strengthen their stand against piracy, which has caused publishers in the country to bleed a lot of yen. In 2021 alone, the damage done by manga piracy cost the industry a whopping 1 trillion yen.

In order to better equip themselves to fight online piracy, Japan made provisions in the annual budget this year, with the cabinet alloting 107,596.4 billion yen for the purpose.

Source: Manila Bulletin