The Philippines has once again stayed off the U.S. piracy and counterfeiting watch list, marking its 13th straight year of recognition. The 2026 Special 301 Report from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) highlighted the country’s enforcement gains.
One key move was the creation of the e‑Commerce Bureau under the Department of Trade and Industry, tasked with monitoring online transactions and tackling counterfeit sales.
The report noted the country’s adoption of laws against unauthorized camcording in theaters, aligning with global standards followed by Canada, Japan, Peru, and Ukraine.
Still, challenges remain. The Philippines is flagged as a source of counterfeit medicines worldwide, and trademark opposition and cancellation cases continue to move slowly. The country also appears in the separate “notorious markets” list, with Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan cited.
Also Read: Greenhills stays on USTR list of counterfeit markets
Meanwhile, Vietnam was named a “priority foreign country” for piracy issues, while China, India, and Russia landed on the priority watch list.
With rising prices, it would be interesting to see how the Philippines can maintain its clean record.
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