Philippines: MMFF to file charges vs movie pirates

[Captain Marvel]

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Film Festival committee will file on Tuesday criminal charges against 54 individuals caught illegally streaming, downloading, and distributing film entries of the ongoing film festival.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday said violations of Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and RA 9239 or Optical Media Act of 2003 shall be filed against four persons who were taken into custody by agents of Optical Media Board in separate operations in Manila City and Quezon City.

Same charges shall be filed at the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 49 persons behind social media accounts for illegally streaming, downloading and commercially distributing MMFF movies online.

MMDA and MMFF chairman Danilo Lim said they will keep working together with members of the MMFF Anti-Piracy Task Force to ensure that violators are caught and brought to justice.

“Remember: Piracy is a crime. We shall pursue these violators to the full extent of the law and we shall keep a close watch against film pirates,” Lim said in a statement.

“Let us not watch or buy pirated copies, not only that it is illegal but patronizing them would discredit Filipino filmmakers’ hard work, talent, money, tears and blood put into their projects,” he added.

The MMFF Anti-Piracy Task Force, headed by Executive Committee member Congressman Dan Fernandez, coordinated with the OMB, Philippine National Police, Department of Information and Communications and Technology, National Bureau of Investigation, Globe, Upstream, and movie producers.

Lim also ordered the creation of a permanent working committee for MMFF to work with law enforcers to arrest and prosecute violators of the anti-piracy law.

He also urged the public to watch all entries only at the MMFF’s official partner. All 10 MMFF entries can be watched exclusively via Upstream.ph until Jan. 7.

“The best way we could help our local moviemakers and producers is by not engaging in movie piracy. We urge everyone to report cases of piracy or anyone caught recording and selling MMFF entries,” he said.

The 10 official entries are Magikland, Coming Home, The Missing, Tagpuan, Isa Pang Bahaghari, Suarez, the Healing Priest, Mang Kepweng, Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim, Pakboys Takusa, The Boy Foretold by the Stars, and Fan Girl.