The Philippines again landed in the list of notorious physical sites for counterfeit and pirated goods of the US Trade Representative.
The USTR 2023 Notorious Market List cited the establishments at the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City as a hub for counterfeit brands of accessories, bags, electronic gadgets, footwear, perfumes, and watches.
The Philippines joined the 19 countries that trade in illicit goods on the USTR list.
The report notes that despite efforts by state agencies to fight the illegal counterfeit parts industry in Greenhills, many merchants operating in the mall have managed to evade government surveillance.
The Philippine government, the National Intellectual Property Rights Committee, has worked with rights holders and control of Greenhills Mall to fight counterfeit sellers, seizing products and taking legal action against counterfeit sellers.
Coordinated efforts between rights holders and control of the mall resulted in the issuance of warning letters and the suspension of operations for repeat infringers.
Reportedly, the mall’s management, along with city officials, is in the process of converting Greenhills Mall into a 50-stall luxury mall with valid vendors.
The USTR noted that rights holders expressed the strong partnership between government agencies and the mall’s management, but said they will have to wait and see the results.
The report highlighted that in 2023, stakeholders reported that foot traffic at many physical counterfeit markets has significantly recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, stakeholders also noted that due to a lack of tourism and in-person buyers during the pandemic, many physical markets shifted to online sales, which the markets’ vendors continue to maintain and profit.