Fake goods seized reach record high P23.6 billion in 2018

MANILA, Philippines — The value of counterfeit items seized by the government hit a record high of P23.6 billion last year, with fake cigarettes and alcohol leading the haul, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said.

In a statement yesterday, the IPOPHL said the value of counterfeit items seized by the National Committee on IP Rights (NCIPR) was the highest since the group’s creation in 2008.

Compared to the goods seized worth P8.2 billion in 2017, last year’s haul surged 188 percent.

“In terms of enforcement, 2018 has proven to be a banner year with the NCIPR, spearheaded by IPOPHL and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), capturing record levels of counterfeit goods. Consistent with the trend we’ve seen all year, fake cigarettes and alcohol led this record haul – the formula for which we believe is the firm determination and vigilance of brand owners to pursue these counterfeiters,” IPOPHL director general Josephine Santiago said.

Apart from the IPOPHL, the NCIPR is composed of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, and Optical Media Board.

Of the total haul last year, cigarettes and alcohol accounted for the bulk or P20.3 billion.

Pharmaceutical or personal care items came in second with P1.2 billion, followed by hand bags or wallets with P821 million on third place.

Optical media placed fourth with P790 million, followed by footwear amounting to P191 million.

As illegal traders are shifting to heavily-taxed goods, Santiago said the government would need the cooperation of brand owners to run after counterfeiters.

She also said there is a need to follow through with convictions of perpetrators.

IPOPHL deputy director general Teodoro Pascua said there were many lessons for the agency last year such as the strong support and effort on the part of the IPR holder, as well as collaboration of government agencies.

“Advocacy and information efforts to the public to respect and protect IPRs will always work specially for the long term. Finally, a clear and bigger perspective on the ill-effects of IPR violations enables the different sectors of society to bond their efforts for an effective and longer lasting collective approach against fake and counterfeit properties and cultivate real respect for IPR,” he said.