Monday, July 07, 2008 Arroyo creates committee vs piracy
ALARMED with the continued proliferation of piracy and counterfeiting in the country, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo created the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) to boost and strengthen the country's campaign against the illegal activity.
Arroyo, in issuing Executive Order (EO) 736, stressed the need to institutionalize permanent units to promote, protect and enforce intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the different law enforcement and related agencies under the coordination of the NCIPR.
The President said it is the duty of the government to protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, investors, artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly when beneficial to the people.
She added that an effective intellectual and industrial property system is vital to the development of domestic and creative activity. It facilitates transfer of technology, attracts foreign investments, and ensures market access for the country's products.
"Whereas, there is a need for a creation of an inter-agency group that will effectively formulate and implement plans and policies and strengthen the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in the country," she said.
Arroyo said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall lead the committee as the chairman with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) as vice chairman, and the justice and interior and local government departments, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Optical Media Board (OMB), National Book Development Board (NBDB), Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) and other agencies to be determined by the chairman as members.
The President said the NCIPR should put up and institutionalize a permanent intellectual property unit with adequate personnel and budget allocation that would be sourced from the available funds of the concerned agencies.
She said the functions of the NCIPR includes: intensifying public information and education campaign on the importance of IPR to national development and global competitiveness; and intensifying regular and effective enforcement against IPR violations, and allocate sufficient resources to ensure effective prosecution of pirates and counterfeiters.
The NCIPR shall also maintain appropriate coordination with the judiciary to ensure that courts are adequately skilled to handle the IPRs cases and improve on the adjudication of such cases; and provide the executive and legislative branches with policy and legislative proposals on IP laws that are consistent with the country's international obligations embodied in treaties and other agreements.
The committee shall also maintain a database and enforcement monitoring system, consolidate information and reports from different agencies, and submit quarterly reports to the President with copies furnished to the Executive secretary and Cabinet secretary; and coordinate government and private sector efforts to provide "maximum benefit to Filipinos and ensure significant contributions to national developments." (JMR/Sunnex)
