IPOPHL welcomes inputs for IP Code changes

MANILA, Philippines - The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is open to inputs of concerned sectors in crafting implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the proposed amendment of the IP Code once it is signed into law amid opposition from some groups, an official said.

“We welcome anybody in the crafting of IRR to be with us,” IPOPHL director general Ricardo Blancaflor said in a press briefing yesterday.

“We know it (proposed amendment) is a complicated issue especially for (the) layman,” he said further.

The IPOPHL Blancaflor said, remains optimistic the proposed amendment to the IP Code, which is now in the Office of the President, would be signed into law given its benefits for many Filipinos even as there have been opposition from some sectors.

Among the concerns raised with the proposed amendment is the deletion of Sections 190.1 and 190.2 of the present Republic Act 8293 or IP Code, which provides that importation for personal purposes means that an individual is only entitled to import in the Philippines up to three copies of copyrighted works in his or her personal baggage.

Some claim the removal of the provisions means those going overseas could no longer bring home copyrighted works such as movies, music and books.

Blancaflor said the removal of the provisions, however, means there is no limit to the number of copies that could be imported.