Government anti-piracy enforcement group confiscates over P3-billion worth of pirated goods from January to June 2009

MANILA, June 25 (PNA) -- The National Committee on IPR (NCIPR) is ridding the marketplace of counterfeit items having confiscated over P3.372 billion worth of counterfeit goods in the first half of the year.

DTI Secretary Peter Favila, chair of the NCIPR lauded the efforts of the various government agencies on their anti-piracy enforcement efforts.

Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines), the government’s lead agency for the IP system, and co-chair of NCIPR, has encouraged companies affected by these IP violators to pursue cases in court to ensure that these IP infringers are meted the appropriate punishment.

In a report to IP Philippines director general Atty Adrian S Cristobal, Jr., the NCIPR said that various agencies involved have confiscated over P3.372 billion worth of counterfeit goods in the January-June period this year.

The confiscated items include three replicating machines, with a total estimated value of P200 million which was intercepted during an operation jointly undertaken by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and Optical Media Board (OMB) in May 2009.

Also included in the six-month total haul also include recent counterfeit confiscations by the IP Unit of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) with a combined value of P11-million, which includes fake merchandise and Unilever products.

NCIPR’s total piracy seizures from January to June 2009 is almost equal to its 2008 total confiscation value of P3.519 billion.

For the first half of 2009, PNP posted the biggest counterfeit haul at P2.145 billion followed by OMB with P785.945 million, BOC with P231.585 million and NBI with P198.800 million.

The confiscated counterfeit goods range from computer software and hardware, to clothing items and accessories, optical discs, to medicines.

Cristobal reiterated the government’s warning to consumers against the purchase and use of pirated items, especially medicines. Fake products and drugs are not regulated and monitored, and there lies the danger.

The IP chief said that patronizing these products, particularly drugs, does not only have dire consequences on local businesses but also public health and safety.

While the enforcement activities targeting these merchandise are severely limiting the availability of counterfeit items in the marketplace, the IP chief underscores that raids and “spot” inspections and seizure and destruction form only part of the NCIPR’s mandate.

Cristobal has urged the government agencies and IP owners to file appropriate cases for the prosecution of the "infringers."

According to him, the presence of fake goods in the market derails government efforts to provide a conducive environment that supports creativity and innovation – the main drivers of the economy.

“The aggressiveness of the NCIPR in enforcing the IP rights of various creators shows the sustained commitment of the government to curb counterfeiting activities in the country,” Cristobal said.

In 2005, the enforcement agencies seized pirated items valued at P1.148 billion, the following year, total confiscations amounted to P1.353 billion.

This was further increased in the following years: P2.998 billion in 2007 and P3.519 billion last year.

The members of NCIPR include the NBI, BOC, OMB, Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Book Development Board (NBDB), Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), Philippine National Police (PNP), Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG), and the Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes (OSETC).