Makati slams door on piracy

By early next month, vendors of pirated items would no longer be allowed in Makati City, after the local government passed an ordinance that prohibits the proliferation of counterfeit goods.

Lawyer Rodel Nayve, a legislative staff officer of the Makati office of the City Council said yesterday the council passed on March 2 City Ordinance 2004-030, which would only be implemented 15 days after publication or early April.

The law is entitled "An ordinance to curtail the sale, rental, transfer, distribution, manufacture and/or production of pirated, counterfeit or fake goods, articles or services, and for other purposes."

Penalties include a 10-day suspension against violators for the first offense; 30 days suspension for the second offense and cancellation of permit for the third offense.

The condition prohibits any stall, table or other means to carry or contain pirated items or services located within two meters from the door, window or any opening leading to the licensee’s establishment.

City hall officials admitted that like other cities and municipalities, Makati also has to deal with vendors engaged in the business of selling fake items, some of whom have rented stalls inside shopping malls or public markets.

Nayve said the passage of the ordinance is in compliance with the "request" of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). "This is true to all local government units. The DILG requested the LGUs to pass an ordinance, based on their draft, to stop piracy."

He said banning the sale of fake goods in the city would not affect their revenue collection. "We are not even sure if they are paying the right taxes. If they transfer somewhere else to do their business, it would only have a minimal effect, di mararamdaman."

A large percent of the city’s taxes comes from big business groups and the real estate industry. – Evelyn Macairan