The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) wants 50 national government agencies (NGA) and 18 local government units (LGUs) to institutionalize policies against counterfeiting and piracy by 2025.
In a news statement issued on Wednesday, the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) called on national agencies and LGUs to implement an Anti-Counterfeit and Anti-Piracy Policy (ACAPP).
“An ACAPP encourages all government workers to be aware of the harms of counterfeiting and piracy to business, livelihoods and the economy so as to ensure that the policies and actions their offices issue are compliant with existing IP laws and regulations,” IPOPHL, which is part of the NCIPR, stated.
Only four agencies, which are all members of the NCIPR, have implemented ACAPPs, IPOPHL noted. The remaining nine members eye to enforce their policies this year.
“As servants in government, we must be the role models in obeying the law. We must demonstrate this by being mindful of all laws, including the IP Code, when formulating policies or initiatives and by taking appropriate action against violators,” NCIPR Acting Chair and IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said.
The target is in line with NCIPR’s 2021-2025 Goals, which highlights improvement on IP policy and legislation, awareness and enforcement. The interagency committee hopes to “radically” reduce counterfeit and pirated goods in the market by 2025.
“By 2025, NCIPR will also shine as an internationally recognized inter-agency committee, spearheading the protection of IP and motivating countries to follow by its example,” IPOPHL Deputy Director General Teodoro C. Pascua added.
Last month, IPOPHL entered a partnership with the International Trademark Association to improve the capacities and awareness regarding IP of the youth, businesses, online platforms and national authorities.
The international IP group will provide capacity building initiatives for IPOPHL examiners in evaluating emerging products in designs; trademarks; certification marks; non-traditional marks; famous and well-known marks.
Their memorandum of understanding work plan is in place until 2022. It will undergo evaluation thereafter to pinpoint areas that need further work and identify potentially new issues that need resolving.