The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) yesterday said it will continue to work with the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) in fulfilling the work plan Overhaul Greenhills Project (OG Project) to eliminate stores selling counterfeit and other IP-infringing goods in the Greenhills Shopping Center.
IPOPHL made this statement following the inclusion of the San Juan City-based shopping mall in the 2023 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
“We will continue to work with rights holders, San Juan local government and the Greenhills management on seizures, issuance of warning letters and updates on the development of the shopping center into a high-end mall,” IPOPHL said in the statement.
The agency said as the lone Philippine market in the watch list, Greenhills remains a priority in IPOPHL and NCIPR’s mission to clear the markets of counterfeit and other intellectual property (IP) infringing goods.
“Selling counterfeit goods is a crime that harms the reputation of a legitimate business, dampens investor trust and evades taxes beholden to the Filipino people,” IPOPHL said.
IPOPHL also called on all sellers to uphold legitimate trade and support the sale of locally-made products to create a safe IP-driven economy where local businesses can flourish.
