1 month ago
10
Louella Desiderio - The Philippine Star
February 7, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The value of counterfeit items confiscated by the government hit a record high of P40.99 billion last year, amid strengthened enforcement efforts by agencies.
In a statement yesterday, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said the agencies that are part of the National Committee on IP Rights (NCIPR) seized P40.99 billion worth of counterfeit products last year, 52 percent higher than the P26.99 billion in 2023.
IPOPHL deputy director general Nathaniel Arevalo told reporters on the sidelines of the Japan External Trade Organization seminar yesterday that the 2024 haul is the highest value of counterfeit items ever seized by the government.
The Bureau of Customs accounted for the lion’s share of last year’s total haul as the agency seized P34.70 billion worth of counterfeit goods.
This was followed by the National Bureau of Investigation, which accounted for P3.42 billion, and the Philippine National Police with P2.83 billion.
Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration confiscated P30.20 million worth of counterfeit drugs and health-related products.
Arevalo said apparel and shoes accounted for the bulk of the confiscated fake items last year.
Under Section 155 of the IP Code, those who use in commerce or advertising a registered trademark or its dominant feature without the owner’s consent can be held liable for infringement.
Arevalo said the record high haul last year was achieved as agencies that are part of the NCIPR intensified enforcement efforts.
He said the NCIPR would continue its efforts to protect IP rights and consumers.
“The NCIPR will continue to safeguard our borders from being transit points, our warehouses from being hiding dens and our markets from being thriving hubs for counterfeiting,” he said.
He said the IPOPHL would also continue to educate the public about the dangers of counterfeiting.
“Counterfeit products harm the economy as they undermine legitimate businesses and market trust, while also exposing consumers to unsafe products that went under the radar of regulatory standard checks,” IPOPHL director general Brigitte da Costa-Villaluz said.
Arevalo also said the IPOPHL would continue to push for amendments in the IP Code, as well as a site-blocking measure to strengthen the fight against counterfeiting.
