Let’s face it, Intellectual Property Rights in the Philippines are wide open to abuse. In fact, the industry has been known for significant corruption. There are thousands of IPR infringements and thousands of illicit manufacturers and major illegal importers and distributors across the country. Even though the Philippines government has progressed successfully in curbing counterfeiting on account of which it has avoided the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s annual special 301 watch list compiled for the past three years, the problem of IPR abuse has not been removed.

In a recent article in the Asia Law, it has been reported that the biggest IP issue being faced today in the Philippines continues to be the proliferation of fake products. It is high time that IP owners assume responsibility for enforcing their rights by being more vigilant. The Government and law enforcement agencies on their part are striving to ease the process for IP owners to enforce their rights in the country, by implementing pro-active IP enforcement systems. These systems will aim to act swiftly any complaints concerning IP violations.
One needs to be mindful of the fact that international terrorist groups often sell counterfeit goods to meet administrative and operational requirements. The sale of counterfeit goods is a low risk, high-profit venture, compared to the distribution and sale of say, illegal drugs.

Protect your IPR with an IPR Investigation Service
Engaging with an IPR Investigation service in the Philippines is a step in the right direction to protect your repute and rights. The entity will offer to protect your exclusive rights which are legally approved by authorities and broadly falls within the gamut of intellectual property laws of the country. The service will look to penalize any unlawful activity or illegal use of patents, copyrights, brand name and trade name or secrets, it finds can cause severe economic rot to your business and tarnish your hard- earned standing in your commercial world.

The inside of an IPR investigation provision

  • An IPR investigation service protects Intellectual property rights in the Philippines using a broad network of IPR informants spread across cities, the municipality and its adjacent provinces that make up Metro Manila, as well as other cities situated in the Philippines.
  • It works in close coordination with major Philippines enforcement authorities.
  • The bigger ones focus on big-time illicit manufacturers, importers and distributors rather than raiding small retail operations, and advise dispatching cease letters to smaller corrupt, illegal retailers after their larger sources of counterfeit goods are raided.
  • IPR investigation detects all sources which are involved in the distribution and sale of counterfeit products to curb the devastating effects on authentic and real brands.
  • The drive against the unlawful transportation, trading of counterfeit and gray marketing is tackled by effective surveillance.
  • An IPR investigation will protect your IPR rights to thwart the possible rise of infringements in any part of the country.

How to choose your IPR investigation service:

  • Ensure you deal with a provider that considers his client as critical
  • He will deliver more than is expected
  • He is reputable and has international experience
  • He will answer all your queries satisfactorily
  • He will provide authentic evidence
  • He will maintain confidentiality
  • He will display professionalism at all times

IPR Macro Environment
According The Philippine Star report in August, 2016, it is not likely that the Philippines will return to the US government’s watch list for global piracy hubs in the near future given the government’s sustained and intensified efforts at curbing intellectual property right (IPR) infringements, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines’ (IPOPHL) top official said. The Philippines had been removed from the list since 2014 after the government enacted a series of significant legislative and regulatory reforms that enhanced the protection and enforcement of IPR in the country, it said. Before its removal from the list, the country was either part of the watch list or priority watch list since 1994. As of the first seven months of 2016, IPOPHL said counterfeit products seized had already reached an estimated value of P2.82 billion.
However, it has been reported in an interview that IPOPHL director general Josephine Santiago said that counterfeiting and piracy remained a concern in the country though not as rampant as in the past. “We are relentless in our drive but despite being out of the watch list. It is impossible for any country to have zero counterfeits. Even the US has, even developed countries have. But the fact is we are relentless in our drive, and we are looking for ways to reduce them,” Santiago said.

For your IPR investigation service requirements or any questions on the subject, please contact us now.