US holds off sanctions on IPR violationsUS holds off sanctions on IPR violations

The US gave its assurance yesterday that it will hold off on imposing any sanctions on the Philippines for its continued rampant violations of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

The Philippines remains on the US government’s priority watchlist on IPR violations.

However, after two years of being on the list, the Philippines has failed to make any progress on cracking down on IPR violators, and faces possible sanctions from the US.

US Assistant Trade Representative Ralph Ives said recently that the US and the Philippines are taking steps to finally eliminate IPR violations.

However, the US National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers noted that the lack of budgetary support is hampering the Philippine government’s effort to crack down on IPR violations.

"Significant problems remain in ensuring the consistent and effective protection of intellectual property rights," the report said.

The report further commented that "resource constraints, already a problem, have been exacerbated by general government budgetary shortfalls."

The US government report noted that Philippine government agencies "are most responsive to those copyright owners who actively work with them to target infringement. Otherwise, enforcement agencies generally will not proactively target infringement."

Ives said that "we are here to work out with the (Philippine) government to prevent these sanctions." By Marianne V. Go The US gave its assurance yesterday that it will hold off on imposing any sanctions on the Philippines for its continued rampant violations of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

The Philippines remains on the US government’s priority watchlist on IPR violations.

However, after two years of being on the list, the Philippines has failed to make any progress on cracking down on IPR violators, and faces possible sanctions from the US.

US Assistant Trade Representative Ralph Ives said recently that the US and the Philippines are taking steps to finally eliminate IPR violations.

However, the US National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers noted that the lack of budgetary support is hampering the Philippine government’s effort to crack down on IPR violations.

"Significant problems remain in ensuring the consistent and effective protection of intellectual property rights," the report said.

The report further commented that "resource constraints, already a problem, have been exacerbated by general government budgetary shortfalls."

The US government report noted that Philippine government agencies "are most responsive to those copyright owners who actively work with them to target infringement. Otherwise, enforcement agencies generally will not proactively target infringement."

Ives said that "we are here to work out with the (Philippine) government to prevent these sanctions."