PH remains out of US list of piracy hotspots

MANILA, Philippines–For the third consecutive year, the Philippines has been kept out of the United States’ list of piracy hotspots, based on the 2014 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets, proof of the government’s sustained efforts to curb piracy and counterfeiting activities in the country.

This out-of-cycle review, the results of which were issued March 5 by the Washington-based Office of the US Trade Representative, listed 20 physical marketplaces in 10 countries that have reportedly engaged in and facilitated substantial copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting.

Some of these marketplaces were La Salada (Buenos Aires) in Argentina; Galeria Page (Sao Paulo) in Brazil; Jin Long Pan Foreign Trade Garment Market, and Jinshun Garment Market (Guangzhou), Qi Pu Market (Shanghai), Silk Market (Beijing), and  Zengcheng International Jeans Market (Zengcheng), all in China; La Bahia Market (Guayaquil) in Ecuador; and Nehru Place (New Delhi) in India.

According to the USTR, unauthorized sale of physical media (including CDs, DVDs, video game cartridges, and pre-loaded computer hard drives and other storage devices) remained prevalent, with widespread distribution, at times involving local manufacture, in the markets identified.

The 2014 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets also listed online marketplaces and websites that “reportedly engage in copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting as well as registrars that reportedly facilitate the distribution of pirated and counterfeit products, including medicines.”

The Philippines was finally stricken off the Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets in 2012, when Quiapo, the last of the six “notorious markets” was removed from the list.

Other shopping areas that previously appeared on the USTR list were Greenhills, Divisoria, Makati Cinema Square, Binondo and Baclaran.