QuestionsQuestions (PNP)
The LOI explicitly cites Republic Act No. 8293 (the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) as the main legal basis for protecting PNP-owned industrial designs and for initiating actions against violators.
To identify specific actions by PNP offices and units to implement stricter regulation and control over the use, manufacture, sale, and distribution of PNP-owned industrial designs of uniforms and related items.
It states that unauthorized sellers, manufacturers, and distributors have proliferated, leading to substandard and unauthorized uniforms being readily available to both PNP personnel and criminals who may use them as disguises for crimes.
The LOI states that 52 PNP uniform and accoutrement designs are already registered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, providing the PNP legal standing and a basis to pursue illegal manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and sellers.
It emphasizes that PNP uniforms and accoutrements should be exclusively available only to bona fide members of the PNP, and that authorized persons/entities may manufacture, sell, and distribute only in accordance with RA 8293.
It adds an explicit instruction that persons or entities violating PNP intellectual property rights in uniform design and texture be brought to justice, strengthening an institutional legal offensive to eliminate unauthorized manufacture and distribution.
RDs PRO 1-13, COR, ARMM, NCRPO, and CIDG are tasked to represent the PNP in administrative, civil, and/or criminal complaints, and to recommend cancellation of business permits and closure of establishments within their jurisdictions.
They are to recommend cancellation of business permits and immediate closure of the business establishments of violators, as part of the enforcement actions against IP-rights violators under RA 8293 and related laws.
The DRD is directed to assist CIDG and other operating units by providing technical personnel who can properly identify infringement of PNP uniforms and accoutrements.
Because determining IP infringement requires technical comparison and identification of the alleged infringing designs/textures; the LOI assigns DRD technical personnel to ensure proper identification during operations.
Lateral coordination among tasked offices/units is highly encouraged to ensure strict implementation.
It adopts all provisions of previously issued LOIs for the “Bantay Bihis” program as long as they are not inconsistent with the amended LOI.
The LOI shall be effective upon approval.
It refers to strengthening and formalizing legal actions and enforcement efforts—administrative, civil, and/or criminal—against violators of PNP IP rights, including recommendations for business permit cancellation and closure.
It mentions administrative, civil, and/or criminal complaints/cases, and also recommends cancellation of business permits and immediate closure of violators’ business establishments.
It states that persons/entities authorized by the PNP to manufacture, sell, and distribute PNP uniforms and accoutrements are given rights and privileges in accordance with RA 8293.
Registration is presented as a safeguard of PNP ownership over those designs and as a practical tool enabling the PNP to take legal action against unauthorized producers and sellers.