Manila: The value of counterfeit goods seized this year has reached PHP35.2 billion, according to the data released by Intellectual Property of the Philippines (IPOPHL) on Tuesday.
The figures were released during the 2024 National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) High-Level meeting at the Admiral Hotel in Manila.
Data showed that the value of confiscated counterfeit products from January to September this year has surpassed the previous record of PHP26.89 billion in 2023.
‘The success of our coordinated enforcement strategies sends a clear message: we stand firm against intellectual property violations,” iPOPHL Director General and NCIPR Acting Chair Rowel Barba said.
“Dismantling counterfeiting networks is not merely regulatory, it’s foundational in spurring economic growth and upholding the values of fairness that we hold as a people,’ he added.
The IPOPHL said 99 percent of the seized goods this year were from the Bureau of Customs’ operations.
The Philippine National Police seized
PHP25.36 million, while the National Bureau of Investigation’s seized products amounted to PHP14.5 million.
‘The BOC and the rest of the NCIPR have been relentless in rooting out counterfeits in both online markets and storefronts,’ Supervising Director of IPOPHL’s IP Rights Enforcement Office Christine Pangilinan-Canlapan said.
She, however, said the increase in the value of seized products, “does not necessarily equate to rampant counterfeit trade.’
‘Instead, it reflects our dedication to transparency and the effectiveness of our efforts to turn the tides against counterfeit trade,’ she said.
For this year, IPOPHL expects the total value of counterfeit goods to reach as high as PHP40 billion.
“We’re proud to share that the Philippines is looked upon as one of the champions for IP enforcement in the ASEAN region, not only in the ASEAN region but also in the global environment,” Barba said.
He said the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom a
re also helping the Philippines combat piracy.
“So, they continue to support us in our fight against counterfeiting and piracy. So, we have been supported through capacity building, through the different programs on capacitating, especially our law enforcement agencies. And we hope to continue with that,” he said.
In another statement, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Nathaniel Arevalo said counterfeiting and piracy are linked to financing activities of organized crime groups.
‘Trade in illegal goods is a transnational crime often run by complex criminal networks. Failing to deter illicit goods such as IP infringing goods from the market further emboldens these criminal groups to expand their operations and harm more people and brands,’ Arevalo said.
‘IPOPHL is committed to strengthen efforts at the NCIPR, intensify our cooperation internally and with external members and improve the country’s reputation in the FATF and in the global context as an enabler of creativity, innovation and legitimate businesses.
‘
Source: Philippines News Agency