The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is pushing for the establishment of Anti-Counterfeit and Anti-Piracy Policies (ACAPP) across all local government units (LGU) and universities to deepen intellectual property (IP) respect across the country.
IPOPHL noted that IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO), the enforcement arm of the agency, is responsible for the lobby and promotion of anti-counterfeit and anti-piracy policies (ACAPP) across all LGUs and universities.
The agency underscored that ACAPP encourages all government workers to be aware of the ill effects of counterfeiting and piracy to business, livelihoods, and the economy.
Apart from this, IPOPHL said the above-mentioned policies aim to ensure that the actions and policies of government offices are aligned with existing IP laws and regulations.
To date, IPOPHL said five LGUs have established or are working on their ACAPP. In fact, the National Committee on IP Rights, which IPOPHL leads as acting chair, is aiming 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,” said Officer in Charge Director Ann N. Edillon in a news statement issued on Thursday.
In a separate initiative, IPOPHL is holding an “Intellectual Property 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.
The IEO will also conduct the workshop which 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,” Edillon said.
“IEO’s capacity-building efforts seek to enhance the support for IP protection in areas where economies are rapidly expanding,” she added.
However, to sustain the momentum of this growth toward recovery, Edillon said, “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.”
Edillon stressed, “These workshops hope to help create this safe place for IP rights holders and redound to benefits to society.”