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New Study Shows Filipino Consumers Who Access Piracy Sites and Services at Severe Risk of Cyber Threats

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Expert, IP Office and Industry Representatives Call for Site Blocking Laws to be Passed

MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A new study commissioned by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) showed that Filipino consumers who access piracy sites and services are at severe risk of cyber threats such as identity theft and ransomware. The study found Filipinos are up to 33 times more likely to encounter a cyber threat on the most popular piracy sites compared to legal film and TV websites.  

These findings were presented in a study released on 13 November during an anti-piracy symposium organized by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), GMA Network, Inc. and Globe Telecom. ACE, the world’s leading antipiracy coalition, is led by the MPA.  

The study was authored by Dr. Paul Watters, Honorary Professor of Security Studies and Criminology, Macquarie University in Sydney.  

“As the digital landscape grows increasingly complex, the risks to consumers accessing piracy sites – especially younger consumers – have never been more urgent,” Watters said. “Consumers today navigate an online environment fraught with hidden malware and exploitation, often without realizing the true danger they face. My research highlights the urgent need for effective action to protect consumers, as every click on a piracy site brings not only legal and ethical implications, but significant threats to users’ safety and security. We owe it to the next generation to build a safe and secure internet, which protects young people from cybercriminals.”

To mitigate the risk of consumer harm posed by piracy sites, the study recommends the enactment of proportionate and transparent site blocking laws that will target piracy sites and services, increased funding for Filipino law enforcement to enhance digital forensics and incident response capabilities, and the development of a national awareness and education campaign.  

“IPOPHL’s voluntary site-blocking initiative has emerged as a key tool in the fight against digital piracy,” said IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba. “While it has only been implemented this year, we’ve already disabled access to nearly 20 sites with the help of the National Telecommunications Commission and internet service providers. Nevertheless, a law will institutionalize our site-blocking regime to create more outcomes, unlock the full potential of our creative economy and protect our consumers from the alarming cyber threats of piracy sites. IPOPHL is still hopeful to see a site-blocking law passed soon.”  

“The MPA’s experience in almost 60 countries around the world shows that site blocking is one of the most effective tools in our toolbox to combat piracy,” said Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the MPA. “This is particularly true in jurisdictions like the Philippines, where the most visited sites are run by operators based elsewhere in the world. The enactment of site blocking legislation is the next key step towards protecting Filipino consumers, content creators, and the creative industry in the Philippines and around the world.” 

The study also showed that raising consumer awareness and education – particularly with teens and pre-teens – is crucial to mitigating the cyber risks associated with piracy sites in the Philippines.  

“The study confirms what we have long feared about online piracy in the Philippines,” said Mr. Joseph T. Francia, First Vice President and Head of International Operations for GMA Network, Inc., an ACE member company. In addition to the negative economic impact to the Filipino entertainment industry, digital piracy has far more serious consequences to the Filipino consumers who are unwittingly exposed to a host of cyberthreats by visiting pirate sites. GMA is committed to continue raising consumer awareness and education on the cyber risks associated with digital piracy.”

“At Globe, we believe in a digital world that is safe and empowering for everyone,” said Yoly Cristiano, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer for Globe, an ACE member. “This study underscores the critical need for collaborative action to protect consumers, especially young people, from the hidden dangers of online piracy. We are committed to working with the government and partners like the MPA, ACE and GMA Network to promote responsible digital citizenship and ensure a secure online experience for all Filipinos.”

The full report is available here.  

About The Motion Picture Association 

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) serves as the leading voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world. Its member studios are Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO. 

About The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment

The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) is the world’s leading coalition dedicated to protecting the legal creative market and reducing digital piracy. Driven by a comprehensive approach to addressing piracy through criminal referrals, civil litigation, and cease-and-desist operations, ACE has achieved many successful global enforcement actions against illegal streaming services and unauthorized content sources and their operators. Drawing upon the collective expertise and resources of more than 50 media and entertainment companies around the world—including sports channels and associations—and reinforced by the Motion Picture Association’s content protection operations, ACE protects the creativity and innovation that drives the global growth of core copyright and entertainment industries. The current governing board members for ACE are Amazon, Apple TV+, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association and Chairman of ACE.

About the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)

An agency attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), IPOPHL was created by virtue of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property (IP) Code of the Philippines. It is mandated to protect IP and create policies and programs that shape the IP system to be a tool for promoting innovative and creative activities, facilitating transfer of technology, attracting foreign investments and ensuring market access for products.

The IPOPHL sits at the National Committee on IP Rights as vice-chair. It is also an ex-officio member of the National Innovation Council and the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, which are respectively tasked to foster innovation and creativity in the country.

About GMA Network

GMA Network, Inc. is the Philippines’ leading broadcasting company, which produces the most innovative, most trusted, and top-rating TV programs.

Also known as the Kapuso Network, GMA brings superior entertainment and responsible, unbiased, and timely delivery of comprehensive and accurate News and Information to Filipinos anywhere in the world – through its TV, radio, online platforms and wide array of other media-related ventures: program syndication, film production, music publishing and distribution, set design, audio-visual production, and new media.

Based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement data from January to September 2024, GMA Network including GTV and other digital channels tallied a combined people net reach of 92 percent or 67 million viewers in Total Philippines. Headquartered in Quezon City, GMA operates a network of 115 TV stations and 21 radio stations throughout the country.

Officially listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2007, GMA Network, Inc. is regarded as one of the most notable organizations that promote sustainability in the country, being the first media and broadcasting company in the Philippines to sign with the United Nations (UN) Global Compact.

For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www.GMANetwork.com.

About Globe

Globe Telecom, Inc. is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the PSE with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. It offers innovative digital solutions in the areas of fintech, healthtech, adtech, climate tech, shared services and venture capital. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implementing universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region.

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SOURCE Motion Picture Association

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The total mileage of UAV transmission line inspection of State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company exceeded 50,000 kilometers

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TURFAN, China, Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On November 22, the transmission and operation inspection center of State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company successfully completed the line inspection task of the 110 thousand volt Jiaolang line, marking the company’s 389th unmanned aerial vehicle inspection task in the year. Since 2016, the State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company has actively applied and promoted UAV inspection technology, and has achieved full coverage of UAV transmission line inspection in complex terrain such as mountains, deserts, and Gobi.

The complex and diverse terrain of Turfan, including high mountains, deserts and Gobi, has brought arduous challenges to the inspection of transmission lines. However, through the application of drone technology, the State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company has not only overcome these difficulties, but also achieved remarkable results in the operation and inspection of transmission lines. At the same time, with the intelligent upgrading and digital transformation of power grid equipment and management, UAV technology is widely used in maintenance and hanging, live monitoring, power grid construction and other fields, and the intelligent level of transmission line operation and inspection has been continuously improved. Up to now, the company’s drone inspection has covered 215 transmission lines of 35 thousand volts and above, with a total mileage of more than 50,000 kilometers, which is equivalent to the length of a week around the Earth’s equator.

In the next step, the State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company will continue to expand the application scenarios of UAVs, actively introduce new technologies and equipment, and accelerate the transformation of intelligent operation and inspection mode. The company plans to continuously improve the level of equipment operation and inspection, consolidate the foundation of equipment safety, and ensure the safe and stable operation of the power grid by further optimizing the drone inspection process and improving the data analysis and processing capabilities.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-total-mileage-of-uav-transmission-line-inspection-of-state-grid-turfan-power-supply-company-exceeded-50-000-kilometers-302316063.html

SOURCE State Grid Turfan Power Supply Company

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MiniTool’s Biggest Discount of the Year During Black Friday and Cyber Monday

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VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — MiniTool, a committed software development firm, offers MiniTool Partition Wizard, MiniTool Power Data Recovery, MiniTool ShadowMaker, MiniTool MovieMaker, MiniTool Video Converter, and other products in the 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions. From November 25 to December 6, 2024, customers can visit the MiniTool promotion page to purchase products and enjoy big discounts.

Promotions and Activities

Entrance 1: Discounts for MiniTool Partition Wizard, MiniTool Power Data Recovery, and MiniTool ShadowMaker (UP TO 65% OFF)Entrance 2: Discounts for MiniTool MovieMaker and MiniTool Video Converter (UP TO 70% OFF)

MiniTool’s promotion is divided into three forms: lucky draw, combination promotion, and single item promotion.

Lucky Draw: Try your luck to get a discount or coupon for your desired single product. Each user has 5 chances per day during Black Friday sales.Combination Promotion: Or you can directly pick up your favorite bundles with a bigger discount!Single Item Promotion: Enjoy exclusive discounts on individual products!

Best Seller: MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro Ultimate + MiniTool ShadowMaker Pro Ultimate
MiniTool Partition Wizard is a top disk manager with comprehensive partition management features that can meet the basic disk and partition management needs of home and business users. It is available in Pro, Pro Platinum, and Pro Ultimate versions. Of these, the Pro Ultimate version is the best choice.

MiniTool ShadowMaker is a professional backup software based on the Windows system. It can safely back up files, folders, systems, disks, and partitions to internal or external hard drives.

MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro Ultimate and MiniTool ShadowMaker Pro Ultimate are originally priced at $199 and $158, respectively. During MiniTool’s Black Friday promotion, customers can buy these two products for ONLY $160.65 (55% OFF).

Double Protection of Data: MiniTool Power Data Recovery Personal Ultimate + MiniTool ShadowMaker Pro Ultimate
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is the best data recovery software for Windows users. It can successfully recover accidentally deleted files as well as files lost due to system crashes or virus attacks. Windows users can use MiniTool Power Data Recovery to recover data from internal storage, as well as external drives (such as HDD, SSD, USB, SD card, etc.).

MiniTool ShadowMaker can set up backup items regularly to properly protect your data and computer. It is the best choice for Windows users to back up files, hard drives, systems, etc.

MiniTool Power Data Recovery Personal Ultimate and MiniTool ShadowMaker Pro Ultimate charge $129 and $158 respectively. Now with a discount of 60% OFF, you ONLY NEED to PAY $114.80 for them.

65% OFF: MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro Platinum + MiniTool Power Data Recovery Personal Annual Subscription + MiniTool ShadowMaker Pro Annual Subscription
MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro Platinum offers all the features of the software, plus one year of free upgrades. It can be used on three devices after purchase. MiniTool Power Data Recovery Personal Annual Subscription offers all the functions of MiniTool data recovery software and a one-year free upgrade. MiniTool ShadowMaker Pro Annual Subscription allows use on two devices, plus one year of free updates.

The original prices of these three products are $129, $89, and $120 respectively. During the Black Friday promotion, you can get them all with ONLY $118.30 (65% OFF).

70% OFF: MiniTool MovieMaker Annual Subscription + MiniTool Video Converter 12-Month Subscription
MiniTool MovieMaker is the best choice for creating and editing videos. It supports adding transitions, special effects, and text to a video. Even beginners can make stunning videos with templates in MiniTool MovieMaker.

MiniTool Video Converter can convert audio and video into more than 1,000 formats. Its batch conversion function makes conversion more efficient. In addition, MiniTool Video Converter allows the recording of partial or full-screen activities without background noise.

The regular price of MiniTool MovieMaker Annual Subscription is $59.99, and the regular price of MiniTool Video Converter 12-Month Subscription is $119.99. During Black Friday, enjoy both of them for a whole year for ONLY $53.99, SAVING 70%!

For more product details, please visit the two promotion pages mentioned above.

About MiniTool® Software Ltd.
MiniTool® Software Ltd. is a software development company based in Canada. It is committed to providing customers with the most useful applications, such as MiniTool Power Data Recovery, MiniTool Partition Wizard, MiniTool ShadowMaker, MiniTool System Booster, MiniTool MovieMaker, and MiniTool Video Converter.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/minitools-biggest-discount-of-the-year-during-black-friday-and-cyber-monday-302316069.html

SOURCE MiniTool Software Limited

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Al Marwan Real Estate to Boost Residential Experience with Yardi

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Sharjah-based property management and development company to reshape residential communities and unify real estate processes with intuitive cloud technology

DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Al Marwan Real Estate, the development and operations arm of Al Marwan Group, is set to centralise management operations and elevate residents’ experience with Yardi®. With one of the largest residential portfolios of corporate real estate and investment assets, Al Marwan is responsible for the development, procurement, leasing and operations of residential projects across the emirate of Sharjah.

The Yardi Residential Suite, including RentCafe, will allow Al Marwan to effectively manage and unify its property operations – from unit marketing and resident onboarding to accounting, billing and reporting. Yardi’s resident portal and app will further help residents to self-serve, manage details, log maintenance requests and view invoices. It will also aid in centralising communication with management teams, ensuring tenant requests and concerns are resolved efficiently.

“We are excited to embrace Yardi’s intuitive property management solution, elevate our operational efficiencies, and deliver unmatched services to our clients,” shared Majd Al Zaiem, Director of Al Marwan Real Estate. “With Yardi as our single real estate management platform, we can streamline tenant leases online and process them with record efficiency, enhance sustainability efforts by eliminating paper transactions and strengthen communication channels across our business.”

“The Yardi platform equips Al Marwan with a seamless solution, empowering the company to optimise its business strategy while effortlessly planning for future growth,” said Said Haider, senior director for Yardi. “We are excited to work with Al Marwan Real Estate in the UAE and look forward to helping them further digitise their operations across the region.”

See how Yardi can improve your resident’s experience with an end-to-end cloud solution.

About Al Marwan Group

Since its inception in 1978, Al Marwan Group has been offering unparalleled services to the construction, heavy equipment, investment, hospitality and real estate sectors. As a key player in the construction, machinery and real estate industries with an expertise spanning 5 decades. For more information, visit almarwangroup.com.

About Yardi

Yardi® develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. With over 9,500 employees, Yardi is working with clients globally to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry. For more information on how Yardi is Energised for Tomorrow, visit yardi.ae.

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Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2447766/5046796/Yardi_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/al-marwan-real-estate-to-boost-residential-experience-with-yardi-302315618.html

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