E-commerce app Shopee (Philippines) recently held its Brand Protection Bootcamp, bringing together representatives from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), brand owners, and industry partners. The program focused on practical ways businesses can protect trademarks, products, and other intellectual property while selling online.
The initiative comes as the Philippine digital economy continues to expand. Valued at ₱2.74 trillion, the sector contributes nearly 10% of the country’s gross domestic product. E-commerce accounts for more than 32% of the digital economy and supports over 75% of jobs in the sector, making trust and brand protection increasingly important for businesses.
“E-commerce is no longer just a sales channel. It is where brands are discovered, customer relationships are built, and business reputations are earned,” said Jack Ng, head of Commercial, Shopee Philippines. “As more businesses establish an online presence, protecting their IP becomes increasingly important.”
Participants received demonstrations of Shopee’s Brand Portal, a self-service platform that allows rights holders to report suspected intellectual property infringements. Discussions also covered how online marketplaces, businesses, and government agencies can work together to reduce counterfeit products and improve consumer confidence.
“When businesses know their brands and innovations can be protected, they are more willing to invest, expand, and bring new ideas to market,” said Nathaniel Arevalo, deputy director general for Policy, Legal Affairs and External Relations, IPOPHL. “This requires both a strong government policy framework for IP protection and rights holders who actively use available mechanisms to safeguard their IP, strengthen consumer trust, and protect their competitive edge.”
Shopee said it continues to strengthen its platform by improving detection of suspected IP violations, enforcing seller accountability, and working closely with brands and government agencies. The company has also been part of the IPOPHL E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding since 2021, supporting industry efforts to improve intellectual property protection and consumer trust across online marketplaces.