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Casbaa takes Manila cable op to court over copyright infringement
MUMBAI: The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) has filed 12 new copyright infringement actions at the Department of Justice in Manila against Maguindanao Skycable, a cable TV operator based in Cotabato City.
Casbaa filed the complaints on behalf of members owning the copyright for channels AXN, CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, the Disney Channel, ESPN, Star Sports, HBO Asia, MTV Asia, National Geographic, Star Movies, Star World and Star Sports.
Maguindanao Skycable is one of several cable operators raided in September last year by the National Bureau of Investigation – Intellectual Property Rights Division (NBI-IPRD) for illegally acquiring and transmitting copyrighted programming from major broadcasting organisations.
According to Casbaa, despite the NBI-led raids, the Cotabato-based cable operator continued to air numerous cable channels without the necessary authorisation from the owners.
Casbaa’s representatives filed the complaints based on evidence gathered by the NBI-IPRD after intensive surveillance and the raid of the Maguindanao Skycable office and head-end. Satellite TV receivers, decoder boxes, smart cards and other equipment used to make the illegal transmissions were seized by the NBI-IPRD operatives during the raid in September.
“With the filing of criminal charges the legitimate cable TV industry is demonstrating full commitment to following through on enforcement actions. Pay-TV signal theft must be penalised as an unlawful practice,” said Casbaa CEO Simon Twiston Davies.
“While a significant number of cable operators engaging in unauthorised broadcasting expressed their intention to legitimize following the September raids (and they are to be applauded) there are others that continue to air copyrighted programs without authorization from the copyright owners. If obtaining convictions is the way to make ourselves heard and heeded, then this is the direction that we will resolutely take,” he added.
Davies also added that cable companies engaged in piracy unfairly compete with legitimate local pay-TV services providers who have properly obtained licenses from program owners. In addition, many such operators do not pay license fees and taxes which could help the government boost the domestic economy.
“Last year the Philippine government lost some Peso 2.1 billion as a result of piracy in the pay-TV industry. We want pirate cable operators to come clean and pay their fair share,” Davies said.
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.
