IPO expects to seize P5.6B worth of counterfeit goods

MANILA, Philippines - The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) expects to match its all time high seizure of counterfeit goods record of P5.6 billion this year.

In a press conference, IPOPHIL director general Ricardo Blancaflor said that by Oct. 21, their seizures will already be at P5 billion. As of October this year, their seizures were at P4.3 billion and they expect P700 million worth of counterfeit goods to be confiscated in two days. The all time high of P5.6 billion was recorded in 2009. Blancaflor noted that majority of their seized goods are branded merchandise leather goods and footwear.

Blancaflor said that in light of their IPR enforcement programs, brand owners are optimistic about the outlook of the retail trade in the country. In fact, he said Louis Vuitton is opening a bigger store to increase their presence in the local market. This signifies their confidence in the government’s ability to address intellectual property rights issues.

He said that with these initiatives, international groups and non governmental organizations have dubbed the Philippines as the ASEAN champion in IPR enforcement. The efforts of the IPOPHIL have likewise been internationally recognized in multilateral assemblies and support for its various initiatives continues to strengthen both here and abroad.

Meanwhile, Blancaflor said the Action Plan on IPR Protection and Enforcement will be presented in the First Philippine Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Summit in Oct. 24 to 28. The summit aims to increase public education and awareness on the importance of intellectual property rights and the serious effects of counterfeiting and piracy. The focus of this year’s activities is the convergence of government and private sectors’ efforts to address and fight counterfeiting and piracy in the country.