REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No._8466

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In general, books and printed materials are protected by copyright law. From the pictures
and graphics in the book to the actual text itself, copyright law protects copyright owners from
unlawful infringement.

Copyright owners have six exclusive rights when it comes to using their work. Only the
‘owner of the copyright or someone who has licensed the work can exercise these rights. For
textbook copyright holders, the relevant exclusive rights include:

‘+ The right to reproduce the copyrighted works in copies;

+ The right to distribute copies of the work to the public by sale, transfer of ownership, rental,
lease, or lending; and

+ The right to prepare derivative works.

Based on these exclusive rights alone, it appears that only the copyright owners or licensed
individuals are allowed to make photocopies of the textbook. Photocopying textbooks can be
considered reproducing copies of the work, unless such usage may be deemed as fair use.

The illegal reproduction of books and printed materials inflict on copyright owners and
authors economic harm, which in tum discourages them from funding their practice given that
producing quality content takes not only time, but also resources. If the practice of illegal
reproduction of copyrighted books and printed materials remains unaddressed, it may ultimately
stifle the intellectual and economic progress of the country.

Be that as it is, this bill seeks to penalize the illegal reproduction of books and printed
materials in coordination with educational institutions to hold liable those persons guilty of
violating the provisions of this Act.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is eamnestly sought.

Rep. Gaff C. Alejano


Cer daueune

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8466

Tniroduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT
DECLARING AS UNLAWFUL THE REPRODUCTION OF COPYRIGHTED BOOKS
AND PRINTED MATERIALS THROUGH PHOTOCOPYING, DUPLICATING,
PRINTING MACHINES OR SIMILAR MEANS WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE
COPYRIGHT OWNER, WHETHER THE PUBLISHER OR THE AUTHOR OR BOTH

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled,

SECTION 1. Short Title—This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Books and Printed
Materials Copyright Infringement Act.”

SEC. 2. Mlegal Reproduction—It shall be unlawful for any person to reproduce
copyrighted books and printed materials through photocopying, duplicating, printing machines, or
similar means without the consent of the copyright owner, whether the publisher, or the author, or
both.

SEC. 3. Penalty.—Those who shall violate the preceding section shall suffer the following
penalties, without prejudice to those imposed by pertinent provisions of the Revised Penal Code
(RPC), the Intellectual Property Code (R.A. 8293) and other special penal laws:

a. Imprisonment of twelve (12) years plus a fine ranging between P100,000.00 to
250,000.00 imposed against the operator of an establishment illegally reproducing said
‘materials for profit. In the event that the establishment is carried on by a corporation or any
other juridical entity, the responsible officers thereof shall be made to suffer.

b. Imprisonment of five (5) years and a fine of P50,000.00 imposed against the
employees of said establishment, unless they can prove that they act through compulsion or
any other form of coercion.


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c. Imprisonment of two (2) years and a fine of P10,000,00 imposed against anyone
who shall buy any of the illegally reproduced materials as mentioned in this Act.

4. Imprisonment of one (1) year or a fine of P10,000.00 imposed against any person
who shall violate the preceding article not for profit but for personal consumption

SEC. 4. All schools, universities, and other educational institutions, through its highest
officers, that allows the operation of photocopying, duplicating, and printing machines within their
premises, or within ten (10) meters from the said educational institutions shall be jointly and
severally liable as principal for the illegal reproduction of copyrighted books and printed materials.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. —Within ninety (90) days from the approval
of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Justice, in consultation and coordination with
associations of publishers, writers, and authors shall formulate and promulgate the necessary
implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause.—All laws, executive orders, executive issuances, or letters of
instructions, or any part thereof, inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act, are

hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

‘SEC. 7. Separability Clause.—If for any reason, any section or provision of this Act shall
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts thereof not affected shall remain valid.

SEC. 8, Effectivity—This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,