The National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) said authorities seized counterfeit goods worth $617.8 million from January to September 2024, up by 31 percent from $471.4 million confiscated in the same period in 2023.
The United States Trade Representative, in its 2024 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy, commended the NCIPR chaired by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) for achieving record-breaking counterfeit seizures.
“This development reflects IPOPHL’s dedication to curb counterfeiting and our increased collaboration with rights holders to ensure action,” IPOPHL officer-in-charge Nathaniel Arevalo said.
The report cited the Philippines for its intensified crackdown on counterfeit goods, particularly the Greenhills Shopping Center, previously known as a hub for counterfeits.
The report identified 38 online and 33 physical markets worldwide engaged in significant trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy.
Greenhills Shopping Center remains the sole Philippine location on the list, maintaining its reputation as a counterfeit hotspot.
The report acknowledged progress, including strengthened cooperation between law enforcement, rights holders and Greenhills management. Initiatives include raids targeting counterfeit sellers, policy changes within the shopping center, and a broader effort to transform Greenhills into a legitimate high-end retail destination.
“Rights holders appreciate the collaborative efforts of government authorities and Greenhills management to curb counterfeiting,” the report said.
Online platforms were also scrutinized, with Shopee flagged for counterfeit issues in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The USTR acknowledged Shopee’s recent measures to address the problem.
As a signatory to the E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) facilitated by IPOPHL, Shopee has been “cooperative” in resolving infringement concerns raised by MOU signatories, Arevalo said.
“We will continue monitoring and addressing emerging trends in intellectual property violations, aiming to foster economic growth through innovation and creativity,” he said.