The ecommerce memorandum of understanding (MOU), which intends to establish a code of conduct and improve cooperation between ecommerce platforms and brand owners in safeguarding intellectual property (IP) rights online, now includes eight businesses and organizations.

The International Trademark Association (INTA) and the United Kingdom IP Office (UKIPO) supported this agreement, which was signed on the sidelines of INTA’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Singapore on May 16, 2023.

“As the desire to stop the sale of fake goods and messages encouraging piracy on the internet grows, we are adding new members to the ecommerce MOU,” said Director General Rowel S. Barba of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). “We hope we help to create a secure ecommerce environment for customers and brand owners alike.”

With the addition of the new signatories, the MOU’s membership has increased to 27. IPOPHL is also assisting in its expansion to ensure the MOU’s seamless implementation to have a bigger effect.

The MOU offers a space for members to work closely together and alert other platform users of potential intellectual property infringement, enabling a quicker takedown of online ads for fake goods or pirated material.

The Philippines’ attempts to stop the spread and sale of fake medicines online would benefit from the recent addition of two signatories from the pharmaceutical sector. With their help, IPOPHL also hopes to refute the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) assertion that the Philippines is one of the world’s top producers of fake pharmaceuticals in its 2023 Special 301 Report.

The MOU strengthens IPOPHL’s partnership with the PSI, addressing issues with delivering safe medications and ensuring integrity in the distribution of pharmaceuticals online, in addition to building capacity, increasing awareness, and exchanging crucial information for investigation, seizure and prosecution purposes.

“Today’s MOU extension shows how crucial it is for the public and commercial sectors to work together to combat the rise of piracy and counterfeiting, especially in online markets where practically everyone is now. In addition to improving the general health and safety of our customers, this whole-of-society approach will also result in a stronger IP system that will foster innovation and competition,” said Barba.

 - Excel V. Dyquiangco