Honda has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and major e-commerce platforms to ramp up efforts against counterfeit auto parts sold online. The agreement, announced Wednesday, covers platforms including Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora.
Under the pact, Honda will collaborate with IPOPHL and the platforms to identify and remove listings of fake parts. The partnership also includes information sharing and consumer education campaigns to help buyers spot genuine components.
"This initiative is crucial to protect consumers from potentially dangerous counterfeit parts and to safeguard the integrity of our brand," said a Honda spokesperson.
IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba noted that the automotive sector is a prime target for counterfeiters due to high demand for replacement parts. "We are delighted to have Honda join this fight," Barba said. "Together, we can make a significant dent in the online trade of fake goods."
The MOU is part of a broader campaign by IPOPHL to enlist more brands and online retailers in its anti-counterfeiting program.