The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has officially welcomed D.I.D. Philippines, a leading manufacturer of Japan-quality motorcycle chains, bicycle chains, sprockets, and industrial drive products, as the 120th signatory to the nation’s anti-counterfeiting Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on E-Commerce.
The milestone partnership reinforces a shared, whole-of-society commitment among government agencies, brand rights holders, and major e-commerce platforms to eliminate online illicit trade, enforce intellectual property (IP) rights, and safeguard Philippine consumers against hazardous counterfeit goods.
As millions of Filipinos depend daily on motorcycles and bicycles for personal commuting, logistics, and delivery services, the proliferation of fake vehicular components presents a critical safety hazard. Counterfeit drive chains and sprockets, manufactured from substandard metals without rigorous quality testing, are prone to sudden snaps and mechanical failures that risk catastrophic road accidents.
Commenting on the accession, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo highlighted the vital link between IP protection and public safety: “As more Filipinos rely on motorcycles and bicycles to move people and goods, ensuring access to safe, high-quality, and reliable components becomes increasingly important. Welcoming trusted manufacturers like D.I.D. to the E-Commerce MOU ensures our online marketplaces remain avenues for genuine, high-caliber goods.”
D.I.D. Philippines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan’s Daido Kogyo Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Ishikawa Prefecture) and operates an assembly facility in Batangas. Despite active litigation and anti-piracy operations, fighting online counterfeit networks remains a constant operational hurdle.
Keisaku Yonemura, Manager of Daido Kogyo’s Corporate Planning Department and former President of D.I.D. Philippines, acknowledged the persistent challenge: “We have taken continuous legal action against infringers, but counterfeit sellers repeatedly pop up on digital platforms, making enforcement an endless and costly battle without structured platform collaboration.”
Incumbent D.I.D. Philippines President Norio Ogawa stressed that counterfeit products harm both businesses and end users: “Imitation products do not just damage brand reputation and stifle motivation for continuous engineering innovation; they are frequently produced using inferior raw materials that directly endanger consumers. Government, industry leaders, and consumers must act in unison to reduce illicit trade and uphold honest commerce.”
First launched in 2021 under IPOPHL’s facilitation, the E-Commerce MOU establishes a direct code of practice among IP rights holders and digital platforms (including major marketplaces like Lazada and Shopee). Key provisions include:
-
Streamlined Notice and Takedown (NTD) Procedures: Enabling brand owners to swiftly report and remove fraudulent product listings.
-
Proactive & Preventive Measures: Filtering out repeat infringers and unverified merchant accounts.
-
Information Sharing: Fostering transparent dialogue to trace online counterfeit supply chains.
Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan, Bureau of Legal Affairs Director and Supervising Director of IPOPHL’s IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO), noted that D.I.D.’s entry reflects the agency’s expanding enforcement framework: “IPOPHL has shifted its paradigm from a strictly whole-of-government strategy to a broader whole-of-society enforcement approach. The E-Commerce MOU proves that collaboration between rights holders and digital platforms is the most effective shield against borderless online infringement.”
With D.I.D. Philippines joining 119 other signatories—spanning international retail conglomerates, technology firms, and industry associations—the agreement continues to set a regional benchmark in building consumer trust within the digital economy.
