IPOPHL and INTA Sign MOU to put an end to the counterfeiting problem
Lately, The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the International Trademark Association (INTA) have just signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to put an end to the counterfeiting problem by improving the skills and knowledge of the young generations, companies, online platforms, and national authorities.
The MOU was signed in a righteous signing ceremony by IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba and INTA President Tiki Dare.
According to the agreement, INTA will assist IPOPHL examiners in examining developing goods in design, trademarks, certification marks, non-traditional marks, renowned and well-known marks. This is to avoid misleading similarities and resemblance amongst marks within the terms of the MOU.
Both IPOPHL and INTA will allow Customs to promote the procedures for cross-border cooperation, seizures, and destruction. Furthermore, the MOU will also strengthen the online platforms to adopt voluntary best practices in preventing and addressing online counterfeit trade. In addition, national enforcement authorities and brand owners will also get assistance in order to streamline coordination and promptly block and prevent counterfeits. Lastly, the court judges will be improved to broaden their knowledge of IP and keep up to date with the latest developments.
Another aspect of the MOU is that from now, IPOPHL and INTA will focus on raising awareness among adolescents, especially those who don’t have access to school and classes. This movement from IPOPHL and INTA will help local business organizations, particularly MSMEs cause now they can utilize cost-effective brand management techniques and worldwide protection measures to develop their companies and expand their market both domestically and internationally.
From INTA’s side, they vouched to assist and broaden the connection of IPOPHL to their worldwide members through many collaborative activities which include INTA’s Annual Meeting, in which IPOPHL may participate and share its best practices and connect with others.
INTA also promises to support IPOPHL in its leadership role at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Working Group on IP Cooperation (AWGIPC) and the ASEAN Network of IP Enforcement Experts (ANIEE) in trademark protection initiatives.
Expert opinions
IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba states about IPOPHL’s connection with INTA: “We appreciate INTA’s continued support of IPOPHL over the years. But now, we are elevating our collaborative relationships to a more solid collaboration, in which we will pursue a multi-pronged approach of capacity building, awareness, and global dialogue.”
Furthermore, Barba adds about the importance of promoting awareness for the youth: “Our youth are a critical audience in the development of a national culture of intellectual property respect. We aim to engage with the kids in a way that captures their enthusiasm in creativity, innovation, and all things intellectual property.”
INTA’s President Tiki Dare states about IPOPHL’s key role in executing 13 regional IP treaties, in which she says that IPOPHL is “a prominent IP authority and real frontliner in Southeast Asia.” ,
Dare also praised the Philippines as a whole for its “creative and out-of-the-box thinking” in dealing with difficulties, as seen by the Supreme Court’s decision to simplify IP prosecution procedures in 2020 and its ongoing legislative efforts to adjust the country’s 1997 IP Code.
The MOU work plan will be executed through the end of 2022, after which it will be evaluated to classify areas that need more study and adjustment, along with potential new obstacles, predicaments that both sides must address.
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