MANILA, Philippines - The government has confiscated P4.3 billion worth of pirated goods from January to October this year, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) reported yesterday.
At the same time, IP Philippines director general Adrian Cristobal said that instead of storing confiscated items in warehouses, he said that these goods can be donated to victims of tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng.
He said that they are already reviewing the possibility of donating fake products to victims of the twin disasters but said there are consequences involved. “We have to make sure that the goods are not sold in the market.”
In an interview, Cristobal said that they expect to double last year’s seizures. Cristobal credited businessmen cooperation as the reason why they confiscated billions worth of fake products.
Cristobal identified Quiapo and Binondo as trademark infringement hubs.
Cristobal said that patronizing these products, particularly drugs, does not only have dire consequences on local businesses but also public health and safety.
Fake products and drugs are not regulated and monitored, and there lies the danger. “The aggressiveness of the NCIPR in enforcing the IP rights of various creators shows the sustained commitment of the government to curb counterfeiting activities in the country,” Cristobal stressed.