Despite acknowledging efforts by the Philippines in fighting counterfeits, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) still retained the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City in its list of Notorious Markets.
Based on its 2025 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy, the USTR reaffirms Greenhills a a “piracy hotspot” for counterfeit items. The USTR flagged the sprawling shopping complex for selling counterfeit electronics, apparel, and accessories in many stores.
In a statement, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) continues to enforce intellectual property (IP) rights in GSC in coordination with brand owners and in cooperation with the Greenhills management through its “three-strike rule,” which may lead to suspension or blacklisting.
Over the years, IPOPHL, as vice chair of the NCIPR, has also sustained engagement with traders through dialogues and joint capacity-building activities with the Department of Trade and Industry, chair of the NCIPR, toward shifting to legitimate businesses.
As such, the NCIPR is working with mall management to maintain a long-term presence right in the heart of the GSC premises. The NCIPR Help Desk will be launched soon. The Help Desk will be manned by personnel from the member agencies of the NCIPR. This will serve not only as a frontline for enforcement actions; it will also serve as a point of guidance for tenants to explain the law and the risks of selling counterfeit goods, and also to help them with the information they need to steer them away from selling counterfeit goods toward a legitimate and more sustainable business model.
“Our goal at the NCIPR is not merely removal from any watch list but true market transformation, where GSC will be known as a legitimate retail center known for quality and trust. Such transformation will not happen overnight, but with sustained cooperation, consistent enforcement, and accountable governance policies institutionalized, it is achievable. Enforcement of IP rights needs not just a whole-of-government effort, but also a whole-of-society approach,” said IPOPHL acting director general Nathaniel Arevalo.
“IPOPHL and the NCIPR remain committed to steady, practical progress, with clear actions and visible results expected in the months ahead.”
