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| L-R: TikTok Philippines Brand Protection Manager James Cheah, TikTok Philippines Public Policy Manager Mike Mendoza, Bench Franchise and Export Manager Cristina Montinola, PUMA Southeast Asia Marketplace Manager Manager Javier Sabarre, IPOPHL Director of the Bureau of Legal Affairs and IP Rights Enforcement Office Supervising Director Atty. Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan, TikTok Philippines Head of Public Policy Yves Gonzalez (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/TikTok Philippines) |
Coinciding with the Philippines' observance of National Intellectual Property Month, TikTok Shop reinforced its commitment to protecting intellectual property rights (IP) through its latest IP Bootcamp in partnership with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). The session brought together brand owners, rights holders, and platform partners for practical discussions on strengthening IP protection in the digital marketplace featuring updates on TikTok Shop’s Intellectual Property Protection Center (IPPC), insights from IPOPHL on the Philippines’ IP enforcement landscape, and a panel discussion with TikTok Shop Mall brand partners on how stronger IP protection supports business growth in the digital marketplace, underscoring the role of IP in fostering trust, innovation, and a more secure e-commerce ecosystem.
Strengthening trust through proactive IP protection
For TikTok Shop, intellectual property protection remains central to creating a safe and trusted shopping experience for both consumers and businesses, especially as the online commerce landscape continues to evolve. “Safety is at the core of how we operate on TikTok Shop as a marketplace only thrives when it is built on authenticity. When a consumer clicks ‘buy’ on the platform, they are also buying into the promise of a brand. Our responsibility is to help ensure that promise is protected through strong policies, proactive enforcement, and tools that empower rights holders to act in real time,” said TikTok Philippines Head of Public Policy Yves Gonzalez. Globally, between January and June 2025, more than 40 million products were proactively rejected from being listed on TikTok Shop for intellectual property rights (IPR) violations while more than 2 million products were removed after being listed as stated in the latest TikTok Shop Safety Report. These efforts reflect the platform’s continued investments in systems and processes designed to keep counterfeit and infringing goods off the platform. Through its IPPC, TikTok Shop provides a one-stop integrated platform where rights holders and authorized representatives can register, monitor, and report suspected IP infringements more efficiently. By equipping businesses with more direct and accessible tools to protect their brands, TikTok Shop aims to help rights holders respond faster to violations and focus on growth, innovation, and customer engagement.
Supporting brands and business growth on TikTok Shop Mall
The IP Bootcamp also highlighted how stronger IP safeguards can help brands grow with greater confidence online, particularly on TikTok Shop Mall, where shoppers can access a curated selection of local and international brands with 100% authentic and original products. During the panel discussion, TikTok Shop Mall brand partners shared how trust, authenticity, and platform support have helped them strengthen their presence and connect with highly engaged audiences through content-driven discovery. The conversation also highlighted how stronger IP protection can create tangible commercial value by helping businesses protect brand equity, reduce counterfeit-related risks, and participate more confidently in digital commerce. “Protecting intellectual property is essential to maintaining the integrity of our brand and the trust we’ve built with Filipino customers over time. TikTok Shop Mall allows us to engage with consumers in a more meaningful and confident way, knowing that there are strong safeguards in place that help us protect our products while we grow in a fast-moving digital space,” said Bench Franchise and Export Manager Cristina Montinola. “For a global brand like PUMA, maintaining brand integrity across every market is critical. TikTok Shop Mall’s commitment to authenticity and its IP protection measures give us added confidence that our brand is properly represented online, while also enabling us to connect with highly engaged communities through content-driven discovery in a way that supports both trust and growth,” said PUMA Southeast Asia Marketplace Manager Javier Sabarre.
A continuing partnership for safer and smarter online shopping
TikTok Shop’s partnership with the IPOPHL includes the co-development of educational content under the #TikTokShopSmart initiative designed to help both consumers and sellers better understand how to identify counterfeit goods, protect intellectual property, and shop more safely online. For consumers, this includes practical, easy-to-follow guidance on spotting fake products and making more informed purchase decisions, while seller-focused content highlights tools such as TikTok Shop’s IPPC, and how rights holders can better safeguard their brands on the platform. “Intellectual property protection is essential to fostering innovation, fair competition, and consumer trust in today’s digital economy. Our continued partnership with TikTok Shop reflects a shared commitment to equipping businesses, rights holders, and consumers with the knowledge and tools they need to help build a safer and more accountable e-commerce environment,” said IPOPHL Director of the Bureau of Legal Affairs and IP Rights Enforcement Office Supervising Director Atty. Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan.
By bringing together government, platforms, and brand owners, TikTok Shop and IPOPHL aim to reinforce IP protection’s role as a key enabler of sustainable business growth and a more trusted online marketplace. As digital commerce continues to expand, both organizations said collaboration and education will remain critical to help the broader digital ecosystem thrive responsibly.
