FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2553 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
10 , SEfil 30 P. :33 
Intellectual property rights (IPR) violations and the crimes of piracy and 
counterfeiting do not only encroach on the personal property rights of creators 
and IPR owners. The resounding effects of these crimes on the Philippine 
economy are two-fold. First, IPR violations that remain unaddressed impede the 
creative growth of the Filipino people, as our scientists, inventors, artists and 
other gifted citizens are left without adequate protection against those who steal 
their intellectual property and creations. Second, piracy and counterfeiting also 
hinder international trade and foreign 
investment. The inadequacy of 
mechanisms for the protection of foreign brands in the local market dissuades 
investors from establishing businesses in the country, resulting to lost 
opportunities for employment and the infusion of fresh capital into the economy. 
On the other hand, due to the highly profitable nature of IPR violations, 
piracy and counterfeiting are also increasingly being committed by large 
~yndicates with considerable resources. Pirates and counterfeiters have begun 
employing more creative means and sophisticated networks of personnel in the 
conduct of their illegal operations. Enforcement of IPR has therefore become 
more complicated, 
requiring trained enforcement personnel with unique 
knowledge and expertise in IPR. 
The bill therefore seeks to address the inadequacy of enforcement 
mechanisms to protect IPR. By according visitorial powers and empowering the 
Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to unaertake 
enforcement functions supported by concerned agencies, the office would be 
more adequately equipped to protect IPR and provide immediate assistance to 
IPR owners. 
In view of the foregoing, early approval of this measure is earnestly 
requested. 
1 


. , 
,. -
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2553 
'J . . :: ' 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
. ANACT 
:.' -
' ',' 
10 
SEJil 30 P4 ::33 
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8293 ENTITLED 
"AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CODE AND 
ESTABLISHING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE, PROVIDING FOR 
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 7 of Republic Act 8293 is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
" Section 7. The Director General and Deputies Director General. - 7.1. 
Functions, - The Director General shall exercise the following powers and 
functions: 
a) 
x x x 
d) 
x x x 
E) 
UNDERTAKE ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS SUPPORTED BY 
CONCERNED 
AGENCIES 
SUCH 
AS 
THE 
PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL POLICE, NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, 
BUREAU OF CUSTOMS, OPTICAL MEDIA BOARD, LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMONG OTHERS; 
F) 
CONDUCT VISITS TO ESTABLISHMENTS AND BUSINESSES 
ENGAGING 
IN 
ACTIVITIES 
VIOLATING 
INTELLECTUAL 
PROPERTY RIGHTS OR PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, BASED 
ON REPORT, INFORMATION OR COMPLAINT RECEIVED BY 
THE OFFICE; AND, 
G) 
SUCH 
OTHER 
FUNCTIONS 
IN 
FURTHERANCE 
OF 
PROTECTING IP RIGHTS AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT. 
1 


" 
SEC. 2. All laws, presidential decreeq, executive orders, rules, and 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the 
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation 
whichever comes 'earlier. 
Approved, 
2