The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), in partnership with the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA), has ramped up efforts to combat the surge of counterfeit motorcycle products infiltrating online marketplaces.
In a capacity-building initiative held on February 21, 2025, IPOPHL, through its IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO), trained companies of which are part of the MDPPA network. The session introduced the various types of IP and helped over 20 participants explore the enforcement mechanisms available to IP owners. The activity also provided the participants the opportunity to discuss remedies for swift resolution of IP-related disputes.
IPOPHL also encouraged members to maximize the use of the E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of which they are signatory and invited member-companies yet to be part of the MOU to join the same. Facilitated by IPOPHL, the E-Commerce MOU offers swifter takedown brought about by the closer coordination fostered through the MOU.
IPOPHL Deputy Director General for Policy, Legal Affairs, and External Relations Nathaniel S. Arevalo lauded the MDPPA for its initiative to learn more about IP enforcement, calling it a “sense of social responsibility” to protect motorists and passengers on the road.
“By enabling its members to understand the wide array of enforcement mechanisms available to them, MDPPA is not just promoting enforcement as a corporate strategy in protecting their brands and reputation but also as a social responsibility in protecting the safety of drivers and passengers,” said Arevalo.
The MDPPA said equipping enforcement agencies with enhanced skills and knowledge is crucial as the proliferation of fake motorcycle products online has become a significant challenge for both consumers and legitimate businesses.
However, MDPPA Vice-President Engr. Erwin Estrada underscored the positive outcomes in the collaboration between MDPPA and IPOPHL, such as the E-Commerce MOU which even their mother firms in Japan commended.
“We look forward to future collaborations especially that the MDPPA would be hosting the FAMI or Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries by next year where delegates from motorcycle manufacturers from ASEAN neighbors, Japan, Taiwan, India and Brazil will be participating. We hope IPOPHL will once again be a partner in this effort to highlight the importance of IP rights in building legacies for the industry,” said Estrada.
Meanwhile, IPOPHL’s IEO Supervising Director Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan urged consumers to be vigilant when purchasing motor parts online, warning that prioritizing cheap deals over safety could have dire consequences.
“Counterfeit motorcycle parts and accessories are beyond the radar of regulatory standard checks. This means there is no guarantee that it can effectively cushion the impact of crashes and falls, endangering not only the motorists but all road users,” said Pangilinan-Canlapan.
The capacity-building activity is part of the series of undertakings under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between IPOPHL and the MDPPA to enhance cooperation in intellectual property enforcement.
Building on this partnership, the MDPPA joined last year the E-Commerce MOU monitored by IPOPHL. Now, as a signatory, the MDPPA expands its IP initiatives on enforcement with a closer coordination with platforms that result in the swift takedown of posts selling counterfeit motor parts and accessories.
Established in 1973, the MDPPA is currently composed of five members, namely Honda Philippines Inc., Kawasaki Motorcycle Phils. Corp., Suzuki Philippines, Inc., Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc. and their newest member TVS Phils. #
