Gov’t hauls in P7.7B in fake goods

The total value of counterfeit and pirated products seized by the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) surged by 47 percent to P7.76 billion in 2013, proof of the government’s aggressive efforts to enforce intellectual property rights in the country.

This figure exceeded not only the P6-billion target of the NCIPR member-agency Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) for 2013, but also its P7-billion target for next year.

In a recent statement, IPOPHL reported that the National Bureau of Investigation had the biggest haul at P3.74 billion, followed by the Bureau of Customs with seizures amounting to P3.2 billion; Optical Media Board, P784 million; and the Philippine National Police, P54.6 million.

“It is the IPOPHL’s goal to inculcate among Filipinos respect for intellectual property and ultimately see the country free from counterfeit and pirated goods in the market,” said IPOPHL director general Ricardo R. Blancaflor.

Blancaflor expressed optimism that given the new enforcement powers of IPOPHL, the group would be able to move “further the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights for national development.”

By virtue of the amended Intellectual Property Code, the IPOPHL earlier issued an office order, which would allow it to have its own law enforcement arm that can issue orders and initial formal charges against those involved in the distribution and sale of counterfeit and pirated products.

Prior to the amendment of the IP Code in February 2013, IPOPHL did not have any enforcement powers. These were given to other NCIPR agencies namely NBI, BOC, PNP and OMB. Amy R. Remo