Philippines: Issued ruling in IPOPHL investigation into YTS Domains concerning site-blocking request

On 3 May 2024, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) issued its first site-blocking request targeting 11 domains and subdomains associated with the YTS brand, identified as a major piracy website globally. The request was made following a complaint by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), Inc., and has led to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and internet service providers (ISPs) implementing the site-blocking, with most ISPs having restricted access to the sites by 18 May 2024. This action follows the IP Rights Enforcement Office's (IEO) decision on 2 May 2024, which found these sites in violation of Section 216 of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and Memorandum Circular 23-025. The decision highlighted that these websites facilitated copyright infringement by hosting and distributing pirated movies and TV shows. This move represents a significant step in the national effort to protect copyright content, specifically targeting platform intermediaries and streaming service providers involved in illegal content distribution.