Piracy is theft: Rex Education launched its anti-piracy campaign at the MIBF 2022
Piracy is theft; piracy is a crime.
Rex Education began its anti-piracy campaign during the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) 2022 in an effort to persuade customers to oppose piracy, safeguard intellectual property, and promote the local book publishing sector.
“After more than 70 years in the publishing industry, I can say that I am proud of the contribution and impact that every REX book has had in the lives of our learners. And we, at REX, would like to keep serving the Filipino learner through our learning materials—may it be printed, audio, or digital form. Through this anti-piracy campaign, we can keep the book industry flourishing and thriving. We can keep the passing of knowledge a sacred endeavor,” said Atty. Dominador Buhain, chairman of Rex Education.
Piracy is punishable by law
The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, also known as Republic Act (RA) 8293, protects the publication of educational books. This law makes it against the law to reproduce and distribute unlicensed copies of books, audiobooks, and other printed or digital educational materials. Violations are subject to up to 1.5 million PHP in fines and/or jail time.
However, piracy remains widespread in the country. According to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), they received a 25% increase in piracy reports from consumers and complaints from rights holders in 2021 compared with reports in 2020. General and educational books and e-books accounted for 49% of reports on piracy, suggesting that many learning materials are still being downloaded and distributed illegally despite the rise of legitimate e-commerce shops and the prevalent availability of e-books and audiobooks.
Rex Education launched its anti-piracy campaign to continue educating Filipinos about the damaging effects of piracy on authors and publishers. Rex also encourages consumers, who have become ubiquitous keepers of knowledge in this digital age, to help stop the illegal reproduction and distribution of books, e-books, audio books, and all other learning tools and materials.
The movement aims to protect the hard work and talent of creators, and ultimately create a ripple effect in strengthening the respect for published materials to keep the publishing industry thriving.
“Time, effort, money, and hard work go into every book that comes out of REX’s printing house. Hundreds of authors and thousands of employees are sustained by the learning materials we produce. Piracy is a crime. Piracy is disrespectful to authors, editors, artists, and the publishing industry as a whole,” said Jeanne Tordesillas, chief marketing officer of Rex Education.
No to book piracy; respect creativity
(L-R) Alvin Halcon, vice president of Philippine Group of Law Librarians (PGLL) and member of the Network of Academic Law Librarians; Alexis Vien Regala, national president of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines (ALSP); Jeanne Marie Tordesillas, chief marketing officer of Rex Education; Atty. Anna Marie Melanie B. Trinidad, chairperson of the Legal Education Board; Atty. Dominador Buhain, chairman and president of Rex Group of Companies; Dean Gemy Lito Festin, president of Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS); Danda Crimelada Garcia, chief external affairs officer of Rex Education; Franklin Benedict Guerra, general manager of Rex Education’s Law Business Unit; and Bernice Mangabat, treasurer of PGLL See less
MIBF 2022 showed a strong confluence of the book publishing industry, educators, stakeholders from the education sector, creators and authors, consumers, and Filipino learners. Anchoring the movement at one of the biggest and most sought-after book fairs in the country meant bringing it closer to the learners and creators protected by the anti-piracy campaign.
With the call “No to book piracy, protect intellectual property, respect creativity,” REX staged a rally around the venue with placards, t-shirts, and flyers. The staged rally gained instant attention and traction throughout the fair, leading attendees to the REX booth where the launch of the anti-piracy campaign was held.
“We would like to keep providing authors an avenue to share their talents and pass on their knowledge to the next generation. We would like to keep providing jobs to our employees and workers of the publishing industry, most especially during these trying times. We want to teach the culture of discipline and respect to the next generation, so they value what goes into every book that passes through their hands,” said Buhain during the launch. “Today, we invite you to join us. Support the local publishing industry. Say no to piracy.”
Saying “no” to book theft and “yes” to the protection of originality and intellectual property are two things Rex Education supports. Buy authentic items from reliable vendors. Watch and share the “Proud Ako” anti-piracy campaign video, which was unveiled at MIBF 2022 and demonstrates the labor of love that goes into each book published and educational resource developed by REX.
Visit www.rex.com.ph to support Rex Education’s efforts to safeguard the publishing sector.
