Phl keeps IP protection record clean
The improvements in our battle against counterfeiting and piracy have always been attributed to our whole-of-nation approach
The United States Trade Representative's (USTR) 2022 Special 301 Report once again kept the Philippines out of its watch list of countries with intellectual property (IP) concerns after a review. It even recognized the country's efforts to combat counterfeiting and piracy.
"We welcome the overall positive assessment of the USTR on the Philippine IP environment. This is yet another testament that the IP Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the National Committee on IP Rights (NCIPR) remain steadfast in fostering innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship and preserving the country's attractiveness as a destination for foreign IP assets to thrive," Director General Rowel Barba said.
Released last month, the report mentioned parts of the country's efforts to battle IP rights violations and increase awareness, including IPOPHL's collaboration with the World IP Organization for a nationwide baseline survey to measure IP level awareness and identify gaps and priority areas.
"The Philippines also continues to conduct workshops for law enforcement officers and public prosecutors to strengthen coordination and capacity on enforcement," the report added.
The report also mentioned the enforcement of Anti-Camcording in the Philippines as countries "need to update legal frameworks to deter unauthorized camcording and keep up with changing practices effectively."
"Our continuing growth as an IP rights-conscious country is evident in these best practices. But our commitment in the past years toward a more secure IP system goes beyond these examples. We have undertaken a wide array of partnerships, capacity building, and promotions, which has helped us stay out of the USTR's watch list for good," Barba noted.
Barba also commended the NCIPR thrust toward clearing pirated content and counterfeit goods markets, including Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City, which is the lone Philippine market in the USTR's Notorious Markets List for Counterfeiting and Piracy. The NCIPR has formed an action plan in response to Greenhills sellers' increasing openness with its illicit trade.
Other recent efforts include promoting Anti-Counterfeit and Anti-Piracy (ACAP) policies, which private partners and government agencies have since taken on.
"The improvements in our battle against counterfeiting and piracy have always been attributed to our whole-of-nation approach. Best IP practices can start in each company, institution, barangay, and our own homes," Barba added.
Strengthening enforcement, speeding up proceedings
The Special 301 Report alleged once again that the Philippines, along with China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Pakistan, is among the top countries that are sources of counterfeit medicines globally. The USTR cited data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union IP Office (EUIPO).
The Philippines also continues to conduct workshops for law enforcement officers and public prosecutors to strengthen coordination and capacity on enforcement.
"The data from the OECD and EUIPO presented in the "Trade in Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Products" publication dates back to 2014-2016. Thus, it fails to consider subsequent efforts taken and more recent data. Regardless, we are strengthening our efforts to ensure that our pharmaceutical industry remains trusted and capacitated to combat the effects of counterfeiting," Deputy Director General Teodoro Pascua said.
He noted that IPOPHL partnered recently with the Pharmaceutical Security Institute to form a framework for capacity building, awareness, and vital information exchange relevant to curbing the circulation of counterfeit medicines.