Ecommerce platforms in the Philippines crack down on fakes under MOU

At the 5th annual review of the ecommerce memorandum of understanding (MOU) led by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), various ecommerce platforms reported having taken aggressive steps to remove listings of counterfeit and infringing products.

Representatives from the ecommerce platforms, brand owners, trade groups and international business chambers shared the status of their individual initiatives to combat online fraud and piracy during the MOU review.

Representatives of the brand said that their activities were the consequence of developing a relationship of trust and mutual benefit with the IPOPHL.

Meanwhile, according to IPOPHL officials, platforms and rights holders have aligned their efforts as a result of ongoing dialogue, capacity-building sessions and technical discussions on simplifying takedown protocols. This has resulted in more effective enforcement mechanisms and a higher rate of proactive intervention.

Launched in 2021, the ecommerce MOU is a voluntary agreement uniting major ecommerce platforms, brand owners, industry groups and foreign chambers to enhance IP protection through closer cooperation. It currently has 107 signatories committed to safeguarding IP rights in the digital marketplace.

The assessment also emphasized how important it is for platforms and the business sector to work together to prevent online frauds.