NCIPR, IPOPHL seize P 23.
6 B counterfeit goods in 2018
“As illegal traders
are apparently
shifting to
heavily-taxed
goods, we need
more than ever the
indispensable
cooperation of
brand owners. But
enforcement
efforts should not
end with seizures,
but follow through
to convictions of
perpetrators.
Bringing them to
justice, coupled
with the public's
active rejection of
counterfeits, will
complete the
formula to sustain
this crusade in
2019.”
- IPOPHL
Director General
Josephine R. Santiago
For further information, please contact:
0977-3256597 - Jeanyn Santiano or
0917-5457046 - Cathy Pillas
Record high in NCIPR’s decade-long history
The National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR), with the Intellectual Property
Office of the Philippines as vice-chair, has seized P 23.6 billion worth of pirated and counterfeit
goods in 2018, an increase of 188% over 2017, and netting NCIPR’s largest haul since its
creation in 2008.
“In terms of enforcement, 2018 has proven to be a banner year with the NCIPR, spearheaded
by IPOPHL and the DTI, capturing record levels of counterfeit goods. Consistent with the trend
we’ve seen all year, fake cigarettes and alcohol led this record haul - the formula for which we
believe is the firm determination and vigilance of brand owners to pursue these
counterfeiters,” said IPOPHL Director General Josephine R. Santiago.
“As illegal traders are apparently shifting to heavily-taxed goods, we need more than ever the
indispensable cooperation of brand owners. But enforcement efforts should not end with
seizures, but follow through to convictions of perpetrators. Bringing them to justice, coupled
with the public's active rejection of counterfeits, will complete the formula to sustain this
crusade in 2019,” the IPOPHL chief added.
"Several evident lessons have been raised in our NCIPR last year. A strong support and effort
on the part of the Intellectual Property Right holder (eg., trademark/patent/copyright owner) in
coordination with concerned law enforcement agencies is fundamental. The full and
determined support and collaboration of the concerned implementing agencies to uphold the
protection and respect for IPRs is also basic,” said IPOPHL Deputy Director General Teodoro
C. Pascua.
“Advocacy and information efforts to the public to respect and protect IPRs will always work
specially for the long term. Finally, a clear and bigger perspective on the ill-effects of IPR
violations enables the different sectors of society to bond their efforts for an effective and
longer lasting collective approach against fake and counterfeit properties and cultivate real
respect for IPR,” Atty. Pascua added.
Per type of good, cigarettes (P 20,250,604,055) and alcohol (P 3,000,000) took the lion’s share
or 86 % of the total. Seized pharmaceutical and personal care products came in second in
terms of value, with the year-long haul amounting to P 1.2 billion. The NCIPR seized P 821
million worth of fake handbags and wallets, while optical media came in fourth at P 790 million.
In 2017, the NCIPR captured a total of P8.2 billion worth of goods, with bulk of the items
comprising of consumer electronics.
In capturing the 2018 haul, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National
Police (PNP), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filed a total of 143 cases, while PNP
and FDA carried out 82 arrests in relation to these counterfeit goods.
Per enforcement agency, the Bureau of Customs hauled in P 11 billion; the NBI captured P 5.3
billion; the PNP, P 1.4 billion; OMB’s seizure amounted to P 790 million, and the FDA’s captured
goods amounted to P 5.8 million.
Joint operations of PNP-Criminal Investigation Detection Group, Bureau of Customs, Bureau
of Internal Revenue and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency brought in P 5 billion.
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.
PRESS RELEASE
NCIPR, IPOPHL SEIZE P 23.6 B COUNTERFEIT GOODS IN 2018
(2018)