C & E Publishing, Inc. has proven to be an advocate of intellectual property rights after being awarded by the Optical Media Board (OMB) a certificate of recognition for its compliance and continual campaign against the piracy of books, e-books, and other learning materials. The awarding ceremony was held during OMB’s 13th anniversary celebration last February 15 at B Hotel in Quezon City.

Signed by OMB chair and chief executive officer Atty. Anselmo Adriano, the commendation honors C & E for “its continuing support and unwavering dedication in the promotion and enforcement of intellectual property rights.” Abigail Pastor, shipment officer-team leader of C & E Publishing, Inc., and Anna Marie de Castro, executive director of C & E Foundation, Inc., accepted the award.

To protect the interests and needs of its authors, partner publishers, and customers, C & E has been actively involved in raising awareness about piracy and discouraging the illegal photocopying, manufacturing, and selling of local and foreign books in printed and digital formats through campus talks, online campaigns, and creative booth displays and fun games during book fairs. C & E is one of the two bookshops recognized by the OMB this year. Other award recipients are companies from the music, film, and retail industries.

Operating under the Office of the President, the OMB was created through Republic Act No. 9239, also known as the Optical Media Act of 2003, to ensure the protection and promotion of intellectual property rights by regulating the manufacture, mastering, replication, importation, and exportation of all forms of optical media. It confiscates illegally obtained and sold audio and video CDs and other pirated content, among other functions.

As part of its anniversary celebration, OMB also presented its annual highlights and introduced actor Piolo Pascual as its ambassador.