Like Indonesia, the Philippines is apparently becoming a destination for pirate producers forced out of Asian countries that have more vigorous enforcement regimes.
Cable piracy is also widespread.
A large number of cable systems retransmit new and recent films without authorization from right holders. Despite the Government s recent elimination of its reprint licensing scheme, we are concerned that piracy of U.S. textbooks remains rampant in the Philippines. Resources for enforcement are inadequate, customs efforts at the border are sporadic and the judicial process is so slow that it is virtually ineffective. While the Philippines has designated dozens of Special Intellectual Property Rights Courts, such designation has not improved the handling of IP cases. We are, however, heartened by comments suggesting that the new government of President Macapagal-Arroyo will take the Philippines IP problems more seriously.