The Philippines improved its score in the United States Chamber of Commerce’s (USCC) 2020 International Intellectual Property Index, which evaluates intellectual property framework of 53 economies worldwide.
Ranking 37th out of 53 economies, the Philippines scored 39.94 percent in the 2020 index from its 36 percent score in 2019.
“We welcome the findings of USCC-GIPC’s (Global Innovation Policy Center) report. We are most glad for its careful and positive observation on the progress of the country’s intellectual property rights environment, especially on enforcement which is entrenched in IPOPHL’s (Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines) endeavor to protect creativity and innovation,” IPOPHL deputy director-general and officer-in-charge Teodoro Pascua said in a statement Wednesday, Feb. 12.
The report said the country’s strength in intellectual property framework which includes speedy procedure for trademark registration; draft amendments to intellectual property code strengthening criminal sanctions; incentives for research and development; intellectual property rights provided in legislation; and growing specialization and capacity building.
The USSC-GIPC is also looking forward that the Philippines will score higher in the next year’s report with the Philippine Online Infringing Act, which will allow IPOPHL to order the cancellation of an Internet service provider’s operating license should it fail infringing content within 10 days upon notification.
“These positive steps would result in score increases on relevant indicators. The Index will continue to monitor these developments in 2020,” it added.
Moreover, Pascua said 2020 will be “an exciting time” for the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Office (IEO) to improve IPOPHL’s enforcement office.
“IEO will soon be ironing out its enforcement guidelines to keep in step with modern business models. It has also identified critical players in the supply chain of counterfeit trade with whom we believe we should engage. We want to encourage them to set up their own mechanisms that will prevent counterfeiters, including those indirectly contributing to counterfeit trade, from utilizing their channels for criminal operations,” Pascua added. — Kris Crismundo (PNA)
