The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (Ipophl) has announced that 40 groups and companies have joined its notice-and-takedown initiative aimed at tackling counterfeit and pirated goods in the online marketplace.
In a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 21, IPOPHL said that among the signatories are major online platforms such as Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, and TikTok Shop, along with 29 global and local brand owners and seven business associations.
Recently, the GUESS Group of Companies and Trimark Group Holdings entered into an e-commerce memorandum of understanding (MOU) facilitated by Ipophl.
Th MOU commits members to establish a code of practice designed to combat the rampant sale of counterfeit goods online.
Ipophl emphasized the importance of cooperation among signatories and the implementation of an efficient notice-and-takedown process.
Under the agreement, Ipophl will oversee collaboration, monitor progress, and address any enforcement concerns raised by signatories. This effort will also serve as a basis for policy development within the 15-member National Committee on IP Rights (Ncipr), chaired by the Ipophl.
“We are happy to see more brands, especially in apparel, choosing to join our whole-of-nation approach through the E-Commerce MOU,” Ipophl Director General Rowel S. Barba said.
“Nationwide and even regionwide, the MOU has emerged to be an avenue for implementing robust measures to fight fakes and safeguard the authenticity and reputation of a number brands in the digital marketplace,” he added.
Barba emphasized the importance of the new MOU members as essential partners in controlling the growing counterfeit industry.
He highlighted that clothing has traditionally represented a substantial portion of the Bureau of Customs' recorded value, making up the majority of the NCIPR's yearly confiscations.
Under the MOU, members of e-commerce platforms are required to adhere to a rapid notice-and-takedown process and take preemptive measures against counterfeit products on their platform.
In return, brands agree to inform the platforms about activities that infringe on their rights and new strategies to actively combat counterfeiting at its origin.
Launched in 2021, the e-commerce MOU has been cited by the Transnational Alliance To Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) as a best practice in IP enforcement and has since reported successful takedowns of infringing sales online.