Trade Industry starts monitoring Christmas lights sale

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) started Tuesday the monitoring of Christmas lights and other decorative lights put on sale as the seasonal shopping spree begins.

DTI Regional Director Myrna Pablo said the move is to totally prevent the purchase of sub-standard Christmas lights, which had been found out to have caused structural fires during the yuletide season.

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The move also prevents any act of infringement against owners of patents and trademarks of the legitimate merchandise, which passed all the safety standards imposed by the government.

Records show the Philippine government has been strict in safeguarding the intellectual properties duly registered under its laws, which include Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the “Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.”

Pablo said with just a month before Christmas Day, many families buy in advance what they need to celebrate the season.

Next month, DTI is also expected to closely monitor prices of commodities normally purchased in bulk for the season to avoid any violation of price manipulation. (Aure Galacgac)