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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. NO.2651
24 MAY-2 P4:17
RECcIVcOBV:
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE POWER AND FUNCTIONS OF THE 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF THE PHILIPPINES TO 
ENFORCE COPYRIGHT PROVISIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8293, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE “INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CODE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES”
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The proliferation of digital piracy, facilitated through unauthorized online platforms 
and websites, poses a significant threat to the integrity of intellectual property rights in the 
Philippines and hinders the growth of legitimate creative industries. It is estimated that 
due to online video piracy alone, the Philippines lost USD 781 million in revenues in 
2022.1 If this problem is not addressed, the illicit video industry is projected to have 31 
million users by 2027, with annual losses estimated at USD 1 billion.
Existing measures to combat digital piracy under Republic Act No. 8293, as 
amended, or the "Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines," require enhancement to 
effectively address emerging technologies and online practices that facilitate copyright 
infringement. This bill seeks to strengthen the enforcement powers of the Intellectual 
Property Office (IPO) to combat digital piracy by introducing a framework for blocking 
Internet sites, such as websites, that host or contain infringing goods or have the primary 
purpose or effect of infringing copyright or facilitating copyright infringement, upon the 
filing of a proper complaint with the IPO. This mechanism is based on the best practices
1 Manila Standard (2023). Intellectual property violations: Dangers and consequences of digital piracy (available at
https://manilastanda^d net/?p=314369945#:~:text=Accordinq%20to%20a%20Media%20Partners.and%20leak%2Q%241 %20billion 
%20annuallv. last accessed April 18, 2024).


of other jurisdictions that have enacted legislation to address online piracy. These 
jurisdictions include Australia, which reported a 53% reduction in the use of pirate sites 
as a result of blocking orders that restrict access to these sites.2
The proposed legislation also aligns with constitutional principles aimed at 
protecting intellectual property rights3 and promoting innovation,4 which are essential for 
fostering a conducive environment for creativity and economic growth. By empowering 
the IPO to coordinate with relevant government agencies, particularly the National 
Telecommunications Commission (NTC), this bill aims to develop rules and regulations 
that enhance mechanisms for safeguarding intellectual property rights in the digital 
domain.
To ensure accountability and safeguard against misuse, the proposed measure also 
outlines the criteria for evaluating complaints filed by copyright holders and issuing 
Internet site blocking orders, considering the gravity of infringement, disregard for 
copyright, and public interest considerations. Moreover, the bill mandates the 
promulgation of joint rules by the IPO and NTC to protect non-infringing content and 
provide mechanisms for appeals and variations of site-blocking orders. It imposes 
penalties, including fines and criminal sanctions, to deter individuals and entities from 
engaging in or benefiting from digital piracy activities.
Thus, the expeditious passage of this bill is urged to address the evolving challenges 
posed by digital piracy and uphold the rights of creators and innovators in our society.
JOE^ILLANUEVA^p
2 Cory, N. (2018). The Normalization of Website Blocking Around the World in the Fight Against Piracy Online (available at 
https://itif.org/publications/2018/06/12/normalization-website-blocklng-around-world-fight-against-plracy-online/, last accessed April 
18, 2024).
3 Philippine Constitution, art. XIV, sec. 13.
4 Id., art. XIV, sec. 10.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. B. NO. 2651
■ Renats
of ti"?‘cryforn
24 MAY “2 P4t16
C^'
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE POWER AND FUNCTIONS OF THE 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF THE PHILIPPINES TO 
ENFORCE COPYRIGHT PROVISIONS, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8293, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CODE 
OF THE PHILIPPINES”
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8293, as amended, otherwise 
known as the “Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines”, is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
“SEC. 5. Functions of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). - xxx
H) COORDINATE WITH THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
COMMISSION (NTC) AND OTHER RELEVANT GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RULES, REGULATIONS, 
GUIDELINES, AND OTHER POLICIES TO ENHANCE THE 
MECHANISMS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS PROVIDED UNDER THIS 
ACT WITH DUE REGARD TO EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES;
I) CONDUCT MONITORING ACTIVITIES RELATED OR RELEVANT 
TO ENFORCING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, INCLUDING 
SITE VISITS TO INSPECT ESTABLISHMENTS AND BUSINESSES 
THAT ARE SUSPECTED TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS 
OF THIS ACT OR WHICH ARE IMPLEADED OR OTHERWISE 
INVOLVED IN, OR THE SUBJECT OF, COMPLAINTS AND/OR 
PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING VIOLATIONS OF THE PROVISIONS OF 
THIS ACT;


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J) SHARE RELEVANT INFORMATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT 
AGENCY/IES AND/OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT/S WHEN IN THE 
COURSE OF INSPECTIONS, REVIEWS, ADJUDICATIONS, AND 
OTHER PROCESSES CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THE 
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, THE IPO COMES INTO POSSESSION 
OF INFORMATION THAT WOULD LEAD TO A REASONABLE 
SUSPICION THAT A PERSON, WHETHER NATURAL OR 
JURIDICAL, IS GUILTY OF VIOLATING OR AIDING AND ABETTING 
IN THE COMMISSION OF VIOLATIONS OF A PROVISION OF THIS 
ACT. IN SUCH CASES, THE IPO MAY RECOMMEND THE 
CANCELLATION OF APPLICABLE LICENSES, PERMITS, AND 
REGISTRATIONS OF THE CONCERNED PERSON; AND
K) SUCH OTHER POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE 
NECESSARY OR INCIDENTAL TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THE 
PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT.”
SEC. 2. Section 171 of R.A. No. 8293, as amended, is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
“SEC. 171. Definitions. - xxx
171.4- A. AN “INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP)” IS A PUBLIC 
TELECOMMUNICATION ENTITY (PTE) OR VALUE-ADDED 
SERVICE (VAS) PROVIDER DULY AUTHORIZED BY OR 
REGISTERED WITH THE NTC THAT PROVIDES USERS OR OTHER 
ENTITIES WITH DATA CONNECTION TO ACCESS THE INTERNET 
THROUGH PHYSICAL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH 
ACCESS IS NECESSARY FOR INTERNET USERS TO OBTAIN, 
RETRIEVE, OR EXAMINE CONTENT AND SERVICES ON THE 
INTERNET, AND FOR CONTENT PROVIDERS TO PUBLISH OR 
DISTRIBUTE MATERIALS ONLINE;
171.4- B. AN “INTERNET SITE” IS A WEBSITE, BULLETIN BOARD 
SERVICE, INTERNET CHAT ROOM, OR ANY OTHER INTERNET OR 
SHARED NETWORK PROTOCOL ADDRESS;
171.4- C “INFRINGING GOODS” ARE GOODS, MATERIAL, OR 
CONTENT, WHETHER TANGIBLE OR INTANGIBLE, IN 
ELECTRONIC OR DIGITAL FORM, WHICH ARE MADE, 
REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, OR OTHERWISE USED WITHOUT 
THE CONSENT OF THE RIGHT HOLDER OR PERSON DULY 
AUTHORIZED BY THE RIGHT HOLDER, AND WHICH ARE MADE 
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM AN ARTICLE WHERE THE 
MAKING OF THAT COPY WOULD HAVE CONSTITUTED AN 
INFRINGEMENT OF A COPYRIGHT OR A RELATED RIGHT;
SEC. 3. Section 220-A of R.A. No. 8293, as amended, is hereby added 
to read as follows:


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“SECTION 220-A. INTERNET SITE BLOCKING ORDER. -
220-A.1 IN CASE INFRINGING GOODS ARE MADE AVAILABLE 
THROUGH AN INTERNET SITE, THE OWNER OF THE COPYRIGHT 
OR RIGHT HOLDER OR HIS/HER DULY AUTHORIZED 
REPRESENTATIVE MAY FILE AN APPLICATION FOR THE 
ISSUANCE OF AN ORDER DIRECTING AN ISP TO BLOCK AND 
OTHERWISE PREVENT USER ACCESS TO SUCH INTERNET SITE: 
PROVIDED, THAT, SUCH INTERNET SITE HAS THE PRIMARY 
PURPOSE OR EFFECT OF INFRINGING COPYRIGHT OR 
FACILITATING COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND/OR THAT 
CONTAINS INFRINGING GOODS.
220-A.2 THE APPLICATION SHALL BE MADE THROUGH THE 
FILING OF A VERIFIED COMPLAINT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 
RULES OF PROCEDURE GOVERNING THE ENFORCEMENT OF 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. THE COMPLAINT SHALL 
INCLUDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT 
THE INTERNET SITE (A) CONTAINS INFRINGING GOODS, OR (B) 
HAS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF INFRINGING OR FACILITATING 
THE INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT.
A SINGLE APPLICATION UNDER THIS SUBSECTION MAY BE 
FILED FOR ONE (1) OR MORE INTERNET SITES.
220-A.3 UPON RECEIPT OF AN APPLICATION PURSUANT TO 
SUBSECTIONS 220-A.1 AND 220-A.2, THE IPO SHALL NOTIFY OR 
CAUSE THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE INTERNET SITE TO 
BE NOTIFIED OF THE PENDING APPLICATION.
220-A.4 IN EVALUATING AN APPLICATION DULY FILED WITH THE 
IPO PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 220-A.1 AND 220-A.2 OF THIS ACT, 
AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING WHETHER TO GRANT 
THE APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER TO BLOCK ACCESS TO AN 
INTERNET SITE, THE IPO MAY TAKE THE FOLLOWING MATTERS 
INTO CONSIDERATION:
(A) 
THE GRAVITY AND/OR FLAGRANCY OF THE 
INFRINGEMENT OR FACILITATION THEREOF ON THE 
INTERNET SITE;
(B) 
WHETHER THE INTERNET SITE MAKES AVAILABLE OR 
CONTAINS DIRECTORIES, INDICES, OR CATEGORIES OF 
THE MEANS TO INFRINGE OR FACILITATE AN 
INFRINGEMENT OF THE COPYRIGHT;
(C) 
WHETHER THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE 
INTERNET SITE DEMONSTRATES A DISREGARD FOR 
COPYRIGHT GENERALLY;
(D) 
WHETHER ACCESS TO THE INTERNET SITE HAS BEEN 
DISABLED BY ORDERS FROM ANY COURT OR TRIBUNAL 
OF ANOTHER COUNTRY OR TERRITORY ON THE


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GROUND OF, OR RELATED TO, COPYRIGHT 
INFRINGEMENT;
(E) 
WHETHER IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO DISABLE 
ACCESS TO THE INTERNET SITE; AND
(F) 
ANY OTHER RELEVANT MATTER.
220-A.5 UPON A FINDING THAT THE INTERNET SITE HAS THE 
PRIMARY PURPOSE OR EFFECT OF INFRINGING COPYRIGHT OR 
FACILITATING COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND/OR CONTAINS 
INFRINGING GOODS, THE IPO SHALL ISSUE AN ORDER TO THE 
ISP DIRECTING IT TO:
(A) 
BLOCK OR PREVENT USER ACCESS TO A DOMAIN NAME 
SYSTEM (DNS) WITH RESPECT TO ALL DOMAIN NAMES 
WHERE THE INTERNET SITE OPERATES;
(B) 
BLOCK AN IP ADDRESS WITH RESPECT TO STATIC IP 
ADDRESSES FOR THE INTERNET SITE;
(C) 
BLOCK OR PREVENT USER ACCESS TO A UNIFORM 
RESOURCE LOCATOR (URL) AND ASSOCIATED DOMAIN 
NAME/S FOR THE INTERNET SITE; AND/OR
(D) 
REDIRECT USERS WHO ATTEMPT TO ACCESS THE 
INTERNET SITE TO A LANDING PAGE THAT CONTAINS 
RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATE POLICIES 
ON THE PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
RIGHTS AND APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND 
REGULATIONS, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL 
ABOUT LEGITIMATE SOURCES TO ACCESS WORKS 
PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.
IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH ORDER, THE IPO SHALL 
COORDINATE WITH THE NTC. FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE IPO AND 
THE NTC SHALL ENSURE, JOINTLY, THAT A COPY OF SUCH 
ORDER IS FURNISHED TO THE COPYRIGHT OWNER, RIGHT 
HOLDER, AND/OR HIS/HER DULY AUTHORIZED 
REPRESENTATIVE.
220-A.6 THE IPO MAY ALSO ISSUE AN ORDER TO THE OWNER OR 
OPERATOR OF AN INTERNET SITE TO TAKE DOWN THE 
INFRINGING GOODS. IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ORDER, 
THE IPO SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE NTC FOR ITS PROPER 
IMPLEMENTATION.
220-A.7.UPON RECEIPT OF A NEW APPLICATION FROM THE 
COPYRIGHT OWNER, RIGHT HOLDER, OR HIS/HER DULY 
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE THAT AN INTERNET SITE THAT 
HAS BEEN BLOCKED PURSUANT TO AN ORDER DULY ISSUED BY 
THE IPO UNDER SUBSECTION 220-A.5 MAY BE OR HAS BEEN 
ACCESSED FROM, OR IS ASSOCIATED WITH, AN ADDITIONAL 
INTERNET SITE BASED ON THE NAME, BRANDING, OR IDENTITY 
OF THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE ADDITIONAL INTERNET


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SITE, THE IPO MAY ISSUE ANOTHER ORDER DIRECTING THE 
ISP/S TO BLOCK ACCESS TO THE ADDITIONAL INTERNET SITE.
220-A-9. THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF AN INTERNET SITE THE 
ACCESS TO WHICH HAS BEEN BLOCKED THROUGH AN ORDER 
DULY ISSUED BY THE IPO PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION 220-A.5 
MAY APPLY FOR A VARIATION OR REVOCATION OF SUCH 
ORDER. THE IPO, IN COORDINATION WITH THE NTC, MAY GRANT 
SUCH REQUEST IF IT IS SATISFIED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A 
MATERIAL CHANGE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH SHOWS 
THAT:
(A) 
THE INTERNET SITE HAS CEASED TO HAVE THE 
PRIMARY PURPOSE OR EFFECT OF INFRINGING 
COPYRIGHT OR FACILITATING COPYRIGHT 
INFRINGEMENT AND/OR NO LONGER CONTAINS 
INFRINGING GOODS; AND/OR
(B) 
IT IS APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO 
REVOKE OR VARY THE ORDER.
220-A-10. NO ADMINISTRATIVE, CRIMINAL, OR CIVIL 
PROCEEDINGS SHALL LIE AGAINST ANY ISP THAT SHALL 
IMPLEMENT AN ORDER ISSUED BY THE IPO PURSUANT TO 
SUBSECTION 220-A.5 OF THIS ACT: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT:
(A) 
THE ISP DOES NOT HAVE ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE THAT 
THE INTERNET SITE HAS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OR 
EFFECT OF INFRINGING COPYRIGHT OR FACILITATING 
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND/OR CONTAINS 
INFRINGING GOODS;
(B) 
THE ISP DOES NOT KNOWINGLY RECEIVE A FINANCIAL 
BENEFIT DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INFRINGING 
ACTIVITY/IES COMMITTED OR FACILITATED THROUGH 
THE INTERNET SITE; AND
(C) 
THE ISP DOES NOT DIRECTLY COMMIT ANY 
INFRINGEMENT OR OTHER UNLAWFUL ACT AND/OR 
DOES NOT INDUCE OR CAUSE ANOTHER PERSON OR 
PARTY TO COMMIT SUCH INFRINGEMENT OR OTHER 
UNLAWFUL ACT, AND/OR DOES NOT BENEFIT 
FINANCIALLY FROM THE INFRINGEMENT OR OTHER 
UNLAWFUL ACT OF ANOTHER PERSON, OR PARTY;
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT NOTHING IN THIS SUBSECTION 
SHALL AFFECT ANY OBLIGATION OF AN ISP THAT:
(A) 
IS ESTABLISHED BY CONTRACT, SUCH AS A LICENSING 
OR OTHER REGULATORY REGIME ESTABLISHED 
UNDER LAW;
(B) 
IS IMPOSED UNDER ANY WRITTEN LAW; OR
(C) 
ARISES FROM CIVIL LIABILITY OF A PARTY TO THE 
EXTENT THAT SUCH LIABILITY FORMS THE BASIS FOR 
INJUNCTIVE RELIEF ISSUED BY A COURT UNDER ANY 
LAW REQUIRING THAT THE ISP TAKE OR REFRAIN FROM


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ACTIONS NECESSARY TO REMOVE, BLOCK, OR DENY 
ACCESS TO ANY MATERIAL, OR TO PRESERVE 
EVIDENCE OF A VIOLATION OF LAW.
SEC. 4. Section 217 of R.A. No. 8293, as amended, is hereby amended 
to read as follows:
"SEC. 217. Criminal Penalties. - xxx
SECTION 217.1-A.
(A) ANY PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF VIOLATING OR FAILING 
TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER DULY ISSUED PURSUANT 
TO SUBSECTIONS 220-A.5 AND/OR 220-A.6 OF THIS ACT 
SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH IMPRISONMENT OF PRISION 
MAYOR OR A FINE RANGING FROM ONE HUNDRED 
THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) TO ONE MILLION 
PESOS (PI,000,000.00). AN ADDITIONAL FINE OF NOT 
MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) 
SHALL BE IMPOSED FOR EACH CONTINUING VIOLATION 
OF OR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH ORDER.
(B) WHEN THE ACT PUNISHABLE UNDER SUBSECTION 
217.1-A(A) IS COMMITTED BY A JURIDICAL PERSON, THE 
PENALTY OF IMPRISONMENT SHALL BE IMPOSED ON 
ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, OR EMPLOYEES HOLDING 
MANAGERIAL POSITIONS, WHO ARE KNOWINGLY AND 
WILLFULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH VIOLATION, AND 
SUCH JURIDICAL PERSON SHALL BE HELD LIABLE FOR 
A FINE EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST DOUBLE THE FINES 
IMPOSABLE IN SUBSECTION 217.1-A(A) OF THIS ACT UP 
TO A MAXIMUM OF FIVE MILLION PESOS 
(PHP5,000,000.00). THE LIABILITY IMPOSED ON THE 
JURIDICAL PERSON SHALL BE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO 
THE CRIMINAL LIABILITY OF THE NATURAL PERSON 
WHO HAS COMMITTED THE OFFENSE.
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within four (4) 
months from the effectivity of this Act, the IPO, NTC, and other concerned 
agencies, upon consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall issue the 
implementing rules and regulations, including the appropriate rules of 
procedure, for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 6. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the 
other provisions hereof.
SEC. 7. Repealing Ciause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act, including but not limited 
to issuances promulgated by the IPO, NTC, and other agencies, are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.


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SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
from its publication in the Official Gazette ora newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,