IP Phils seizes pirated goods worth P1B in first quarter

Manila, Philippines - The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) yesterday confiscated P1 billion worth of pirated products in the first quarter of the year, up 28 percent from P770 million a year ago.

The National Bureau of Investigation lead the pack with confiscated goods worth more than P500 million, followed by the Optical Media Board, the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine National Police.

IPOPHIL and the BOC destroyed P300 million worth of fake products including counterfeit Luis Vuitton items, the biggest haul they confiscated for the first quarter.

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said the condemned articles included imitations of Energizer batteries and an array of well-known brands such as Louis Vuitton, Channel, Gucci, Lacoste, Breitling and Nike.

The BOC will forward its findings for proper investigation of the parties involved. The BOC identified Multikarat Enterprises and Portwings Trading as the importers of the pirated goods who violated the country’s Intellectual Property Laws.

According to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Department this is “proof of the agency’s serious and revitalized campaign to rid the local market of fake brands.”

The BOC is mandated by law to prevent and suppress the smuggling and entry of prohibited imported goods, and supervise and control the entrance and clearance of vessels and aircrafts engaged in foreign commerce.

IPOPHIL director general Ricardo R. Blancaflor commended the seizure carried out by the Customs officials, citing its “strong deterrent effect against smugglers of pirated items.”

“We are promoting a culture of respect for intellectual property rights in order to uplift our economy. We need to straighten out those caught liable,” said Blancaflor.

The IPOPHL signed an agreement with the Philippine Ports Authority to implement stricter border control measures in a move to prevent the use of Philippine sea ports as entry and exit points of pirated and counterfeit goods.

These cooperations are part of the IPOPHL’s holistic approach to engage all relevant government agencies and institutional partners to deter piracy and counterfeiting.

The IPOPHL is also seeking out police powers from the legislative and executive branches in order to effectively eradicate IPR violations.