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The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has expressed its dissent for adding its name in the Piracy Watch List, prepared by the office of USTR, under the Special 301 Process 2012. Every Year, the Office of United States Trade Representative (USTR) conducts a review of the intellectual property protection under section 182 of The Trade Act 1974, popularly known as The Special 301Process. Accordingly, it analyzes the efforts of all the countries in giving protection to the intellectual property rights at international level.
The officials of the IPOPHL have stated, “Inspired by its modest gains in recent years in protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights (IPRs), the Philippines continued to intensify its holistic approach to fight counterfeiting and piracy. The protection of IPRs is and remains to be a major area of concern of the Philippine Government not just because the Special 301 Review process identifies countries where IPR infringement represents a barrier to trade, but more so because the war against piracy and counterfeiting is a war against poverty and unemployment of most Filipinos. It is also a campaign to boost the country’s competitiveness towards economic development”
While submitting its comments, IPOPHL has also mentioned the initiatives taken by the Philippines Government in the year 2011 to protect the intellectual property rights. A Summit on Philippine Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy was held in the state, last year, in which Philippine Action Plan on IPR protection and Enforcement (2012-2016) was submitted to the office of the President. The aim of the summit was to bring awareness to the common people about the fatal effects of counterfeiting and piracy on the global economy. Delegates from National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR), the World Intellectual Property Organization, the US State Department, the IPR Business Partnership, and the International Trademark Association had participated in this event. In addition to it, The Philippines Government had also organized seminars and training workshops for spreading knowledge and awareness on the laws related to copyright protection in the state.
Reportedly, the executive machinery as well as the judicial department of the state has made commendable efforts in enforcing the laws related to the intellectual property rights. Rate of seizure of counterfeited and pirated goods has shown an increase up to 58.33% in the year 2011. Presently, Philippines is having sixty- five commercial courts having exclusive jurisdiction over intellectual property matters, to ensure speedy trials.
IPOPHL has stated that the endless efforts of the Philippine Government to ensure better protection of the intellectual property rights cannot be overlooked.
Mentioning all these facts, IPOPHL has applied to USTR to remove its name from the Piracy Watch List
Reference taken from: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/02/19/12/ipophl-seeks-removal-us-piracy-watchlist
Author: Neeru
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