Like in many parts of the world, the rapid growth of digital technologies has brought both incredible opportunities and significant challenges in the Philippines. With the rise of E-Commerce and digital marketplaces, counterfeiting and piracy issues have assumed alarming proportions, impacting businesses, creators, and consumers alike. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), a government agency mandated to administer policies on intellectual property (IP), announced a 286 percent increase in counterfeit and piracy reports in the first half of 2023. In fulfillment of its mandate to strengthen the protection of IP rights in the country, IPOPHL drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was signed on March 01, 2021. The aim was to establish a code of practice and enhance coordination among E-commerce platforms and brand owners in the fight against the sale of counterfeit and pirated goods online through the development of an efficient notice and takedown procedure and preventive measures.
The development of redress mechanisms, together with the collaboration between key stakeholders, are vital in forging a stronger IP system and ensuring that consumers are protected and businesses are thriving. On this account, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and the South-East Asia IP SME Helpdesk (an initiative of the European Commission supporting European SMEs with IP-related issues) are organizing an event entitled "The growth of E-Commerce: strengthening IP protection systems and protecting consumers", which will feature discussions about legal developments in online counterfeiting and piracy, as well as strategies to protect IP and other intangible assets like trade secrets.
In close partnership with government, businesses, civil society, and academia, ECCP passionately works to enhance the business environment for both European and Filipino companies.