The Philippines and Japan have partnered to intensify the country’s efforts to combat counterfeit goods, especially in identifying fake Japanese products in the local market.
In a statement Monday, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), and member companies of the International Intellectual Property Protection Forum (IIPPF) trained members of the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) to improve market monitoring and enforcement operations.
This, as Japanese companies show increasing interest in the Philippine market expansion and they want to protect the intellectual property rights of these Japanese firms.
NCIPR members including the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Customs, and the Food and Drug Administration also explained their respective roles and initiatives in building a robust enforcement ecosystem to help Japanese companies understand the enforcement mechanisms that are already in place.
“Japanese companies at the event pointed out the Philippines’ growing importance to their business and as a trading partner of Japan, hence, the need to foster an enforcement system that effectively protects the reputation of Japanese brands and their customers’ welfare,” IPOPHL said.
The Japanese firms, including Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kubota Corp., KYB Corporation, Mazda Motor Corp., and Seiko Epson Corp., as well as JETRO and JPO, also paid a courtesy visit to IPOPHL Director General Brigitte da Costa-Villaluz.
She assured the Japanese firms of the Philippine government’s ongoing efforts in strengthening its intellectual property law enforcement and accelerating the process for resolutions.
“IPOPHL recognizes the challenges posed by lengthy judicial proceedings in the aftermath of criminal crackdown. To address these challenges, IPOPHL offers alternative methods of enforcement which can lead to more efficient resolutions,” da Costa-Villaluz said. (PNA)
