RP takes step closer to delisting from IPR watchlist

The Philippines has moved closer to having itself removed from the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) watchlist following recent actions by Congress and concerned government agencies to curb piracy in the country.

This was the optimistic view of Intellectual Property Office (IPO) director-general Emma Francisco following moves by Congress to pass the Optical Media Bill.

The Optical Media Bill will regulate the production, distribution and sale of DVDs and VCDs.

The passage of the Optical Media bill, Francisco said, was one of the conditions set by the US Trade Representative (USTR) for the removal of the Philippines from the so-called 301 IPR Watchlist.

The Philippines has been on the watchlist for two years in a row due to rampant IPR violations, particularly on video and music piracy.

The USTR had complained that the government has not been doing enough to curb optical media piracy. It noted that there is very poor enforcement of IPR regulation with insufficiency trained prosecutors, procedural and judicial delays, as well as very few raids.

Francisco, however, stressed that the passage of the Optical Media bill is not just meant to appease the US government, but is also for the country’s benefit.

She assured: "We don’t do things for American compulsion, we do this for our own good."

But even with the passage of the Optical Media bill, Francisco admitted the USTR would still evaluate petitions seeking to retain the Philippines in the watchlist.