Despite a decline in piracy, counterfeit goods increased in September: IP office
MANILA — Compared to earlier months, reports of counterfeiting received by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) surged at the start of the so-called “ber” months this year.
NBI raids Greenhills for counterfeit luxury goods valued at P50 million.
According to IPOPHL data, 21 reports of counterfeit items were received between September 1 and September 28. This is more than the monthly reports that were received between January and August 2023, which did not go over 13.
Just from January to July of this year, the government has confiscated counterfeit items worth P22.5 billion, more than it did for the entire year of last year, when it only seized P9.5 billion worth.
“Talagang ‘pag magpa-Pasko, tumataas siya. Siguro ‘yung iba namimili before tumaas ‘yung presyo ng mga items,” IPOPHL Assistant Secretary Christine Pangilinan-Canlapan said in a press conference.
“Every Christmas time nga nagmo-monitor kami ng markets… and of course ang ating IP awareness campaign, not only to the tenants,” she said. “Kung walang bibili wala ring magbebenta… Malaki po ang nawawala talaga. Kasi ‘yang nagka-counterfeit… hindi ‘yan nagbabayad ng tamang buwis.”
Canlapan pointed out that there is no law that holds people who purchase fake items accountable.
Although with the (proposed) amendment to the IP code, tinitingnan na rin namin na gawing liable also the landlords, kumbaga ‘yung malls mismo, Canlapan said. “Wala kasing provision sa IP code na nagpi-penalize sa mga bumibili.
“Every Christmas time nga nagmo-monitor kami ng markets… and of course ang ating IP awareness campaign, not only to the tenants,” she said. “Kung walang bibili wala ring magbebenta… Malaki po ang nawawala talaga. Kasi ‘yang nagka-counterfeit… hindi ‘yan nagbabayad ng tamang buwis.”
Canlapan pointed out that there is no law that holds people who purchase fake items accountable.
Although with the (proposed) amendment to the IP code, tinitingnan na rin namin na gawing liable also the landlords, kumbaga ‘yung malls mismo, Canlapan said. “Wala kasing provision sa IP code na nagpi-penalize sa mga bumibili.
