There are rare occasions by which a criminal case is filed for violation of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293). But in those rare occasions, the Philippine courts do not hesitate to sink their teeth in deeply and put the counterfeiter behind bars. After more than a decade of legal […]
Enforcement Of IP Laws In Philippines – A New Beginning
Piracy has wrecked havoc on the economy of the Philippines, adversely affecting economic activity and stifling organized industry. While the Philippines remains in the Watch List of the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), the USTR has recognised the innovative and sustained efforts of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to undertake […]
Philippines - Pirates And Counterfeiters: Beware of ‘Oplan Holistic’
On June 21, 2008, the Philippines’ National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) was set up to strengthen the efforts of the Philippine government in curbing piracy and counterfeiting. The Committee is composed of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as chair and the Intellectual Property Office (IPOPHL) as vice-chair and other member agencies […]
Stricter IP Laws in Thailand - A new beginning
For quite some years now, pirated goods (mainly music, movies and fake branded goods) have been wrecking havoc on Thailand’s economy, growing from strength to strength, and stifling the organized industry. The Thai government, on its part, has been drawing a lot of flak for its failure to ensure IP protection. According to a recent […]
Thailand updates their Film and Video Act to curb Piracy
Due to the recent increase in demand for film production of both Thai and foreign films in Thailand, the Thai Government took the initiative to review its Film and Video Act of 1930 to broaden its scope of protection. The Film and Video Act 1930 which was updated and has been in force since June […]
Piracy In Asia - My Personal Viewpoint by Perlin Tan
A merchant ship with a crew of hardworking honest sailors has been sailing for months. The ship is 3 days from it's destination, some of the crew will not last that long. Those who do arrive, will do so empty handed because Pirates have helped themselves to the merchant ship's goods, and some to the […]
Border Enforcement Measures Increase The Protection Of IP Rights In The Philippines
In its attempt to administer the implementation of state policies on the protection, utilization and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in the Philippines, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) convened the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Action Panel (IP-REAP) in 2002. This panel, a joint government and private sector body, was established […]
India and America - Hollywood and Bollywood join forces against piracy
With over one billion people, India is one of the world's largest markets for films; this includes both home grown "Bollywood" and Hollywood movies. However, both Hollywood and Bollywood complain that piracy, a phenomenon throughout Asia, is cutting into their earnings. Both lose millions of dollars a year due to lax enforcement of copyright laws […]
Malaysia cracks down on software piracy
Machines producing illegal Disc Copies As Malaysian government officials reinforce their aim to curb piracy by setting example, another recent incident proved their genuineness. Although the battle to combat piracy in order to protect intellectual property is a difficult one, Malaysia is on the right track. Fourteen machines worth RM42 million (US $13 million) that […]
Video-game industry watchdog clamps down on illegal game activity in Singapore
In an effort to further enforce it's stance against piracy, the video game watchdog, Entertainment Software Association (ESA) in conjunction with the Singapore Police, carried out raids on local stores selling illegal video games. The shops were selling gadgets that allowed users to download and play pirated games on their Nintendo DS handheld consoles. As […]