THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (Ipophl) is partnering with social media personalities and online business owners through the signing of an E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost its campaign against the proliferation of counterfeit goods.
The initiative will also help protect consumers from the health risks of consuming fake products.
"With social media influencers and entrepreneurs, the pool of E-Commerce MoU signatories becomes more diverse and inclusive, to show that anyone can suffer from the consequences of counterfeiting. We welcome any rights holders who've fallen prey to counterfeiting," Ipophl Deputy Director General Nathaniel Arevalo said.
Signatories can closely collaborate and directly notify platform members on possible intellectual property (IP) violations, Arevalo explained, adding this also allows the Ipophl, the government's IP regulator, to immediately take down pages and online posts offering counterfeit products.
So far, the E-Commerce MoU has 44 signatories, the latest being Rosemarie Tan, chief executive officer of beauty and wellness brand Rosmar Skin Essentials, which are available on online shopping platforms Lazada, Shopee, Shopify and TikTok Shop.
"Fake products destroy the reputation of legitimate brands and put consumers at risk," Tan said, adding that the "real enemies here are the counterfeiters who make more profit because they sell at a lower price."
She disclosed one unauthorized seller claimed to have made P150 million for selling a range of products using the Rosmar brand.
There have been complaints from buyers who said they suffered from rashes and worsened acne after using fake products, Arevalo said.
To protect her brand, Tan registered a number of her trademarks with the Ipophl's Bureau of Trademarks, as well as her marketing content and advertising collateral with the Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights.
Registration of brands, trademarks and copyrights will improve the detection of infringing posts in the marketplace and solidify Ipophl's fight against counterfeiters, Arevalo pointed out. Janine Alexis Miguel