Electronic commerce platforms Lazada and Shopee signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global and local brand owners and industry-associations establishing a code of practice among online marketplaces in their fight against the sale of counterfeit and pirated goods over the internet.
The brands include Unilever Philippines, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Philippines, Inc., Globe Telecom, Inc., Castrol Ltd., the Philippine Retailers Association and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines which joined on behalf of American firms operating in the country.
The MOU contains a provision on an efficient notice and takedown procedure by the platforms of an ad, post or offer by a seller of an infringed product.
The platforms also have the option to implement other deterrent measures against the infringers.
Rowel Barba , director-general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines who witnessed the signing, said “with harmonized procedures and deeper ties with platforms, IP right holders are better able to notify e-commerce and request for swift actions necessary to prevent counterfeiters and copyright pirates from making a sale.”
