PH stayed off the US piracy and counterfeit watch list for the 13th straight year

Efforts in specialized IP courts and e-Commerce oversight keep the country clear of flags. 

For the 13th straight year, the Philippines kept its name off the US’s Special 301 Watch List, a closely watched report that flags economies seen as weak on piracy, fake goods, and intellectual property protection. 

For now, the country remains clear of markets viewed as easier targets for counterfeiters, content thieves, and copycats.

Why the Philippines stayed clear

In its 2026 report, Washington cited several Philippine efforts that helped keep it that way, including specialized intellectual property courts, dedicated enforcement units, and tighter coordination among 15 government agencies under the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights. 

The US also recognized the Department of Trade and Industry’s e-Commerce Bureau, launched in 2024 as regulators stepped up oversight of online selling and fake listings. A formal partnership with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines is expected this year.

As more Philippine brands sell online, expand overseas, and compete in crowded digital marketplaces, stronger protection against fake goods and stolen content could help protect revenue, build trust with global partners, and make it harder for copycats to profit from someone else’s work.