EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 60 - CREATING THE INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

WHEREAS, Intellectual Property Rights-patents, trademarks and copyrights-have gained universal importance because of the important role technology plays in influencing international economics and trade;

WHEREAS, government policies related to Intellectual Property Rights would have far-reaching economic implications on our trade relations with our trading partners;

WHEREAS, the recognition and adequate protection of the rights of inventors, authors, and trademarks owners should enhance the economic environment needed to attract foreign investments;

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Government to protect intellectual properties against infringements, piracy and counterfeiting;

WHEREAS, there is a pressing need to have close coordination among government agencies responsible for the protection of intellectual property rights;

WHEREAS, there is a pressing need to come up with concerted efforts in the policy formulation of the Government in order to effectively combat piracy and counterfeiting of intellectual property rights;

WHEREAS, the Government is now currently in the process of evaluating its present laws on intellectual property rights in consonance with its multilateral and bilateral commitments;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:  

Section 1. Organization. — There is hereby created an Inter-Agency Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (hereinafter called the “Committee”) under the Office of the President.

Sec. 2. Composition. — The Committee shall be composed of the Secretary of Trade and Industry, as Chairman, the Secretary of Justice and Secretary of Finance as Vice-Chairman, and the following as Members: the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, the Chief of the Philippine National Police, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, the Chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board, the Commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission, the Chief of the Copyright Office of the National Library, the Director of the Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer, the Director of the Bureau of Trade Regulations and Consumer Protection, and one representative each from two major non-government organizations involved in the protection and promotions of intellectual property rights to be determined by the Committee.  

Sec. 3. Powers and Functions. — The Committee shall have the following powers and functions:

a. Recommend policies and coordinate the policy making process in the Executive Branch of the Government vis-a-vis protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights;

b. Coordinate with the different agencies of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches of the Government in order to effectively address the problem areas arising from infringement and counterfeiting of intellectual property rights;

c. Enlist the assistance of any branch, department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government, including government-owned and controlled corporations, in the anti-piracy and counterfeiting drive, which may include the use of its personnel, facilities and resources for a more resolute prevention, detection and investigation of violations of laws enumerated in paragraph (d) hereof, and prosecution of criminal and administrative cases;

d. Cause and direct the immediate investigation and speedy prosecution of cases involving violations of copyright, trademarks, patents and other intellectual property related laws or cases that is referred to the Committee;

e. Recommend the transfer of a case involving violations of the laws or statutes detailed in paragraph (d) hereon from any law enforcement agency or prosecution office, as the Committee may deem proper and necessary, in the interest of efficient and expeditious dispensation of criminal justice, and monitor for speedy resolution such cases under investigation or prosecution as the case may be, by the appropriate operating or implementing agency herein provided;

f. Refer, as the Committee may deem proper and for the same reasons stated in the preceding paragraph, to the appropriate law enforcement agency or prosecution office, the investigation or prosecution, as the case may be, of any of the cases adverted to in paragraph (d) hereof.

g. Monitor the progress of on-going investigation and prosecution of cases taken cognizance of by the Committee;

h. Prepare and implement a fast-track anti-piracy and counterfeiting plan of action and adopt appropriate strategies and measures to ensure an effective and efficient anti-piracy and counterfeiting program, and public adherence to and compliance with all domestic and international laws for the protection of intellectual property rights;

i. Coordinate with the appropriate government agencies and non-governmental organizations an information dissemination campaign on intellectual property rights and the measures that have to be adopted to address the issues.

j. Recommend appropriate intellectual property rights issuances and legislation to the President and Congress;

k. Consider the granting of monetary rewards and incentives to informants who are willing to give vital information to build up cases for the prosecution of criminal offenders as provided under existing laws; and

l. Perform such other functions necessary in the pursuance of its objectives.

Sec. 4. Technical and Administrative Staff . — The Committee shall organize its Secretariat under the Office of the Secretary of Trade and Industry to be headed by an Executive Officer designated by the Chairman.

Sec. 5. Funding. — The Committee shall, upon the recommendation of the Chairman, be provided with an initial budget to be determined and approved by the President. Appropriations for the succeeding years shall be incorporated in the budget proposals under the Office of the President.

Sec. 6. Operating Guidelines. — The Committee shall adopt such operating guidelines as may be necessary to implement this Executive Order.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 26th day of February in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Three.
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