IPOPHL boosts IP enforcement in Mindanao

August 18, 2022

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is holding an “Intellectual Property (IP) Workshop for Law Enforcement Agents and Public Prosecutors” in Cagayan De Oro from August 17 to August 19, 2022 as part of the Office’s broader work to improve enforcement strategies across the country. 

To be conducted by IPOPHL’s IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO), the workshop provides an opportunity for law enforcement officers and public prosecutors to know more about IP law, trends and enforcement best practices that will help them protect the province’s markets from counterfeit goods and piracy. 

The learning event will also provide a product identification workshop to help participants better identify counterfeit goods.

“Since the start of the year, IPOPHL has been going around the country, particularly in strategic locations across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, to connect with law enforcement officers, prosecutors and other agents who are critical in the enforcement ecosystem,” Officer-in-Charge Director Ann N. Edillon said.

“IEO’s capacity-building efforts seek to enhance the support for IP protection in areas where economies are rapidly expanding. To sustain the momentum of this growth toward recovery, we need to build an environment where innovators, creators and entrepreneurs are confident in the safety of their current and future IP assets from unfair business practices. These workshops hope to help create this safe place for IP rights holders and redound to benefits to society,” Edillon added. 

IEO is also pushing for the establishment of Anti-Counterfeit and Anti-Piracy Policies (ACAPP) across all local government units (LGUs) and universities to deepen IP respect across the county.

An ACAPP encourages all government workers to be aware of the harms of counterfeiting and piracy to business, livelihoods and the economy. It also aims to ensure that the policies and actions government offices issue are compliant with existing IP laws and regulations.

To date, five LGUs have established or are working on their ACAPP. The National Committee on IP Rights, which IPOPHL leads as acting chair, is targeting to see 50 national agencies and 18 LGUS implement their ACAPP by 2025. 

“IEO will also reach out to the LGUs and Universities in Cagayan De Oro and nearby LGUs to create ACAPPs that will help boost activities in turning great ideas into real, tangible and valuable IP assets,” Edillon added.