THE Optical Media Board (OMB) is urging Bacolodnons to help counter piracy operation by closely coordinating and reporting such illegal activity to the agency or to their respective local government unit.

Ezperanza Coronel, head of the OMB registration and licensing division, said they are conducting series of information awareness campaign around the country, the first time in Bacolod City.

Coronel spoke at the Awareness Campaign and On-Site Registration and Licensing held at MKK Annex Hall of the Bacolod People’s House Thursday.

He added that the activity is aimed at helping both private and government sector in identifying whether the items replicated and distributed are pirated or counterfeit, and whether it is a violation to the OMB law and implementing rules and regulations.

During the seminar attended by city government employees, barangay officials, and optical media products distributors, the OMB officials discussed concepts about registration and licensing, laws and policies regarding sales distribution, CD burning services, and internet café tips on identifying and preventing further distribution of illegal items, anti-child pornography, and other OMB advocacies.

Coronel said they are urging local government departments like the permits and licensing division to ensure that business establishments engaged in optical media products which they are issuing permits are not violating the law.

The OMB also hopes that the local government unit should strengthen the enforcement of ordinances pertaining to the internet shop, its compliance to requirements and regulations.

Coronel added that piracy operation in the country has been minimized through the agency’s continuous campaign and operation associated to apprehension of big distributors and those selling pirated products.

Piracy in Bacolod is a minor problem compared to those in other areas like Metro Manila, she said.

Coronel said the agency’s measures will effect positively, if all sectors of the community, are collectively doing their share.