|
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Sale of fake goods stopped
THE Cebu City government has expressed willingness to support the efforts to enforce intellectual property rights in Cebu of the Manila-based Intellectual Property Coalition (IPC).
But Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama said solving the piracy issue will be difficult.
During a conference with officials from the Intellectual Property Office at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the Cebu City local government, led by Rama, assured the IPC that the council will adopt the ordinance the coalition had drafted.
“But the implementation of the ordinance in Cebu will be difficult,” he said.
IPC presented to local government officials a template ordinance, which aims to curtail the sale, rental, transfer, distribution, manufacture and/or production of pirated, counterfeit or fake goods, articles or services in the country.
IPC has been encouraging local government leaders in key cities in the Philippines, including Cebu, to adopt the template ordinance, to reduce, if not stop, intellectual property piracy in the country.
Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Director Nelia Navarro said the DTI will present the template ordinance again to the trade and industry committee of the Cebu City Council to ensure the adoption of the ordinance.
“We really need a vigorous education campaign on the negative impact of piracy on the country’s economy,” she said.
Section 1 in the template ordinance requires all business licenses and permits issued by the city or municipality to carry the express condition that the licensee shall not engage in the sale, rental, transfer, distribution, manufacture or production of pirated, counterfeit or fake goods, articles or services. Persons within the licensee’s business establishment or premises are also prohibited from doing so.
“Any breach or violation of the conditions set forth shall be a ground for the revocation or suspension of the business permits for a period of not more than 10 days for the first violation; 30 days for the second; and cancellation for the third and subsequent violations,” according to Section 2 of the template ordinance.
Violation of the ordinance means a fine of P2,500 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or both. (JBN)
(September 18, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
