IPOPHIL gets enforcement functions

MANILA, Philippines - The Intellectual Property Office (IPOPHL) will now be able to exercise enforcement functions against those involved in the sale or trade of counterfeit items as part of the rules for the amended IP Code.

The IPOPHL has issued Office Order 13-170 which provides the rules and regulations in the exercise of its enforcement functions and visitorial power based on information, report, and complaints received by the agency.

Under the Office Order, an IPR Enforcement Office will be established by the IPOPHL.

The office will be headed by the agency’s deputy director general and assisted by duly designated IPOPHL personnel and detailed or assigned law enforcement officers.

The IPR Enforcement Office will be responsible for receiving complaints or reports relating to IPR violations; evaluation of the complaints; coordinating with right holders; formulating policies and programs to ensure IPR enforcement; as well as providing assistance in enforcement of orders, writs, and processes issued by the Bureau of Legal Affairs and the Office of the Director General.

The rules were issued following the amendments to the IP Code signed by President Aquino in February.

Previously, the only agencies which could arrest IPR violators and conduct raids were those part of the National Committee on IPR such as the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Customs (BOC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Optical Media Board.

Latest data from the IPOPHL showed that as of end-September, the value of counterfeit and pirated goods seized by the government amounted to P6.13 billion, up from P4.14 billion in the same period last year.

The value increased as the BOC and NBI saw their collections increase.