Consumer group urge NBI to investigate online counterfeit goods sellers

Consumer advocacy group Malayang Konsyumer has urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate online sellers and accounts involved in the distribution of counterfeit goods, citing the continued proliferation of fake products despite takedown efforts by e-commerce platforms.

In a letter to NBI Cybercrime Division Acting Chief Wilma Delgado, the group called for a thorough probe into online listings and accounts, saying voluntary enforcement by e-commerce platforms has not been enough to curb the sale of counterfeit goods.

Malayang Konsyumer said e-commerce platforms have reported proactive removal rates of more than 85% to 93% for counterfeit shops. However, the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights has seized P18.64 billion worth of counterfeit goods, showing the scale of the problem, it said.

The seized counterfeit products span cosmetics and skincare, pharmaceuticals and health supplements, electronics and gadgets, apparel, footwear, accessories, fragrances, children’s products, hygiene products, household adhesive products and optical media.

“Self-regulation and voluntary takedowns on e-commerce platforms are vital, but they are not enough,” Malayang Konsyumer Convenor Mark Jansen Magsano said in a statement.

“The individuals and syndicates operating behind these digital storefronts continue to hide behind online anonymity, endangering Filipino consumers with unregulated and hazardous products,” he added.

The group said online counterfeit sales should be treated as cyber-enabled commercial crimes rather than isolated violations, as the activities involve information and communications technologies and may carry aggravated penalties under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 when linked to violations of intellectual property, consumer protection and food and drug regulations.

Malayang Konsyumer urged the NBI Cybercrime Division to use the investigative tools provided under the anti-cybercrime law, including applying for Warrants to Disclose Computer Data to identify anonymous account holders and Warrants to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data to preserve digital evidence.

The group cited the NBI’s actions earlier this year, including the seizure of counterfeit beauty products in Rizal, as a basis for urging the bureau to pursue online counterfeit networks with the same urgency.

“Filipino consumers deserve a safe digital economy. Tracking down and prosecuting the syndicates operating these illegal online listings will send a strong message that cyber-enabled intellectual property violations and consumer endangerment will not be tolerated,” Mr. Magsano said.

Malayang Konsyumer had earlier called on the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to intensify its crackdown on counterfeit goods sold online. — Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba