IPOPHL drawing up an effective IP enforcement system

MANILA, Philippines - The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is putting in place an effective system for IP enforcement, as well as for adjudication of cases, to strengthen protection of such rights here.

“We aim to make the IP system work better and faster for our IP right holders. The continuing push to improve IP enforcement and adjudication in the country is aligned with our bigger objective of having a demystified, democratized, and a development-oriented IP system,” IPOPHL director general Ricardo Blancaflor said in a statement.

The IPOPHL said improved IP enforcement and adjudication of cases would be the main focus of the 4th Philippine Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Summit to held on October 20.

The IPOPHL has already put in place policies and measures to make it easier to enforce IP rights, including capacity-building programs in the judiciary that are rolled out in partnership with government and private stakeholders such as the Philippine Judicial Academy and the Supreme Court.

The seminars and workshops are being implemented to enhance the skills of commercial court judges, prosecutors and investigators and clerk of courts in handling IP cases.

Commercial courts for the speedy disposition of cases involving violations of IP rights have also been designated.

The IPOPHL has likewise established mechanisms for Alternative Dispute Resolution.

As part of efforts to strengthen IPR protection in the country, the IPOPHL is also forging partnerships with counterparts overseas to share best practices concerning copyright systems.

Last month, the IPOPHL entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Copyright Commission to share information on enforcement of copyrights.

A similar partnership was also forged by the IPOPHL with Japan.

As of end-August, counterfeit items seized by the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) reached P8.03 billion, 45 percent higher than the P5.55 billion in the same period in 2013.

Agencies that are part of the NCIPR are the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs, Philippine National Police, Optical Media Board and Food and Drug Administration.

Blancaflor said earlier the IPOPHL hopes to match the record-high P8.3 billion haul in 2011 this year.

Last year, counterfeit items seized by the government were valued at P7.76 billion.