IPOPHL demands respect for intellectual property
IT is embarrassing that while one government agency is trying its best to fight the piracy of intellectual property ( IP), a high- ranking government official was caught supporting it. Recently, the combined efforts of government authorities to fight counterfeit and pirated products yielded a total of P8,384,994,228.00 for 2011. This amount— a 58- percent increase from the P5.2 million recorded in 2010— is the highestever in the country’s history. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines ( IPOPHL), headed by Director General Ric Blancaflor, should be credited for this effort as it continues to battle the worldwide menace. It should be emphasized that piracy of branded products does not only exist in the Philippines. It also exists in other countries, with some appearing to allow a measure of leniency in the matter, especially toward tourists who lack the budget to buy the genuine article. We‘ ve all heard of triple- A Rolex watches or Louis Vuitton ( LV) bags being sold in shopping meccas across Asia. Then again, that is not an excuse for us to go easy here in the Philippines.
“We feel triumphant about the achievement, but we believe that inculcating respect for intellectual property is ultimately important,” Blancaflor said, adding that “only by having cultivated respect for IP in every Filipino will counterfeiting and piracy be totally eradicated, thus allowing IP rights owners to enjoy the rewards and benefits of their IP assets and encouraging more creativity and innovativeness among our people.”
He attributed last year’s remarkable performance to the concerted efforts of members of the National Committee of Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR). Topping the commission’s enforcement operations last year were the National Bureau of Investigation, with P5.2 billion; Bureau of Customs, P1.5 billion; and the Optical Media Board, P1.2 billion. Other NCIPR members involved in these activities were the Philippine National Police, with P433 million; Food and Drug Administration; and National Telecommunications Commission.
The IPOPHL chief also acknowledged the efforts of the Pilipinas Anti- Piracy Team (PAPT), of which the IP agency is a member since September 2011, for its intensified fight against software piracy.
Based on the agency’s enforcement data, the LV brand had the highest estimated value of seized items. LV used to pay $10,000 a month just for monitoring their products in the market. But now, they only pay $500, thanks to the campaign of our enforcers. Also notable in value are Rayban eyeglasses, Chanel bags, and Bulgari and Omega products.
Meanwhile, IPOPHL remains committed in strengthening the protection and enforcement of the IP system so that it can be a tool for economic development. The agency is bent on implementing the programs and projects indicated in the 2012-2016 Philippine Action Plan on IP Protection and Enforcement that was presented to the Office of the President during the First AntiCounterfeiting and Piracy Summit in October. The action plan will enhance existing programs on IP education and awareness, capability-building for relevant institutions and groups, expanding border control measures in more regions, speedy and quality disposition of IPR cases, policy advocacy, pushing pending legislative bills, domestic and international partnerships, strengthen coordinating mechanisms; reconfigure enforcement tools and mechanisms to keep pace with advancements in technology; and endeavor to fill in the gaps on IPR enforcement operations like focusing attention on establishing a sense of “permanency” within the NCIPR membership and IPR units in government agencies.
Blancaflor believes that with the positive turnout of IP enforcement efforts, more IP rights owners will cooperate in the drive to protect their IPS, leading to the flourishing of businesses and foreign investments in the country. For more information on IPOPHL’S programs, you may contact Emmelina Masanque of the IPOPHL Information Office IV at (02) 238-6300 local 207 or 0906-5175858.
Enforcement is only one aspect of IPOPHL’S mandate. The agency will soon come up with a draft Geographical Indicators, or GI bill, that will provide a legal framework for OTOP products that have established their own brands to have these patented. Soon, products like Dagupan bangus, Guimaras mangoes, Aklan Pina, Bicol Pili, Tagalog lambanog or T’nalak of South Cotabato will be Philippineowned brands and no one will be allowed to use them without proper attribution or permission from the patent owner, much like how some unscrupulous businessmen have claimed ownership to the Philippine Mangoes brand. But wait! What about Abel Iloko or Iloko Basi? After all, that’s the original GI!
God is great!
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