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Calls for firmer IP laws featured in IPO seminar
MUMBAI:In a bid to broaden the effectiveness of government when dealing with intellectual property rights (IPR) cases involving the Philippines cable and satellite TV industry, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa), with support from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Philippine Cable TV Association (PCTA), recently staged a high level legal training seminar in Makati City.
The seminar, specifically designed to support IPO and NTC officers, brought together pay-TV industry experts, including cable operators, content creators and program distributors, along with IPR experts from law firm Quisumbing Torres, states an official release.
Participants from both the government and the private sector highlighted the importance of building strong IPR protection to spur industry growth and boost its contribution to national progress.
“This is the first of a series of seminars that IP Philippines will undertake in partnership with the NTC and the pay-TV industry through Casbaa and the PCTA. The objective is to advance our common goal of curbing IP violations,” said IP Philippines deputy director General Pacifico Avenido.
The training session came on the heels of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the IPO and the NTC, which transfers the investigation and resolution of pay-TV industry IP cases to the IPO.
“As soon as the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the MoA are approved, the cases pending at the NTC will be transferred to the IPO”, said Avenido.
“Thus, there’s an urgent need for our Bureau of Legal Affairs hearing lawyers to be trained comprehensively on pay-TV industry IP issues and the technical processes in broadcasting relevant to understanding the issues.”
Meanwhile, John Medeiros, the Casbaa VP for Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, expressed industry appreciation for the government’s efforts to address the worsening problem of pay-TV piracy.
“We thank the IPO and the NTC for co-sponsoring this seminar, a truly positive step that demonstrates the value of cooperation between the government and the pay-TV industry,” said Mr Medeiros.
PCTA president Allan Dungao echoed Casbaa’s call for the government of the Philippines to fortify the industry’s anti-piracy cause.
“Industry estimates place pay-TV signal theft losses at billions of pesos. With the support of the NTC, the IPO, the different legislative bodies and local government units, laws and ordinances have been passed rendering signal theft a crime punishable with imprisonment. More intervention through further government legislation is required, particularly in addressing program piracy in the Philippines,” said Mr Dungao.
Star TV Philippines VP, Liza Latinazo, with Tim Bautista, the COO of pay-TV channel distributor Cable Boss, joined Mr. Dungao on a panel of industry speakers during the training.
As a follow-up, the IPO, NTC, Casbaa and the PCTA are planning a follow-up IP law seminar open to industry and public sector groups in October as part of the IPO’s IP Protect educational lecture series, adds the release.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
