Under IPOPHL's new memorandum circular, the electronic, digital, or online channels have been expressly included as part of its scope in exercising its enforcement functions.
The IPOPHL is pushing for 17 priority amendments, one of which is the granting of the power to the agency to take down websites with infringing material.
The rules revised the 2010 version and took effect on Nov. 16, 2020. Specifically, it makes IP litigation less costly, faster and in sync with newer laws.
Of the intellectual property violations this year, IPOPHL said 79 were operating online – 53 from Facebook, seven from Shopee, six from Lazada, three from YouTube, and one each from Carousell, Instagram, and Vineyard.
42% of the intellectual property rights violations in the country from March to June 2020 were piracy activities, including illegal streaming and illegal reproduction of copyrighted content.
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines received 80 reports and complaints of IP violations in the first semester of 2020, 66% higher than the 47 reports received in 2019.
Aside from illegal streaming and illegal reproduction of copyrighted content such as movies and anime, IPOPHL said there has been an increase in intellectual property violations for e-books with the rise of distance learning.
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines said House Bill 6122 or the proposed Internet Transactions Act would help the agency perform its mandate to protect intellectual property rights and create an e-commerce bureau under the Department of Trade and Industry.
