As much as P 8.2 billion worth of counterfeit and pirated goods were seized by various agencies under the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights in 2017, nearly 26 percent higher than the previous year’s record.
The Bureau of Customs reported the largest value seized at more than P5.8 billion.
The value of counterfeit goods seized last year represents the biggest haul by the government since 2014, according to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
“The value of fake goods confiscated by the government fluctuates every year and it depends on the class of goods and the market value of the original goods in the formal economy,” IPOPHL director general Josephine Santiago said.
According to NCIPR data, the top counterfeit products seized were electronics, optical media, and pharmaceutical and personal care products.
“As this reflects the growing market demand for electronic goods and products involving public health and safety, we warn the public to be wary of counterfeiters exploiting this high demand. This alarming development underscores the need for the various relevant agencies of government and the intellectual property rights owners to address this serious concern. The IPOPHL, for its part, continues to intensify its campaign against the selling and buying of these counterfeit products,” Santiago said.
The 2016 enforcement data showed a different trend with jewelry and watches as the top counterfeited commodities, followed by cigarettes and alcohol.