US recognizes RP effort on IP

The US government is taking cognizance of the great effort of the Arroyo administration in promoting strict adherence to intellectual property rights in
the country.

The observation of the American government was relayed by no less than Office of the US Trade Representative Director for Southeast Asia and Pacific
Affairs David Katz.

Katz who traveled to the country for the talks on the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement visited IP Philippines Director General Adrian Cristobal Jr. this week.

US Embassy officials including Economic Affairs counselor Robert Ludan accompanied Katz during his visit to Cristobal.

During the meeting, Katz said that he was wary of the significant achievements that the government has attained on areas involving the promotion and protection of IPR in the country.

He recognized the strengthened coordination among the agencies involved in the campaign against piracy, trademark infringement and copyright violations.

The US official also took notice of the government’s sustained enforcement campaign on IPR through its various units including the Bureau of Customs, PNP-CIDG, National Bureau of Investigation and the Optical Media Board.

Cristobal noted the positive remarks of Katz but added that irrespective of the USTR’s observation on the country, the promotion of IPR is also being
undertaken as a part of the anti-poverty program of the government.

The IP Philippines Director General said that protecting and promoting IPR would spur the economy further by inviting business ventures, which in the process, would generate income for the government and create jobs for Filipinos.

Cristobal also said that the government would sustain the tempo in its enforcement campaign, which from January to May this year, has already caused the confiscation of more than P400 million worth of pirated goods and optical discs.

Katz said that the US government is willing to help the government in a number of undertakings including on its information and education campaign on IPR and the training of its personnel.

The USTR official also brought out the idea of the possible inclusion of piracy under the anti-tax evasion project of the government, which is being supported by the millennium funds with the US.

Before leaving the IP Philippines office, Katz briefly met with the heads of the units under the IPR Task Force wherein he was briefed with the updated results of the enforcement drive.