Lesson 1 [Intellectual Property Rights]

• The law aims to protect the rights of intellectual property owners and promote a culture of respect for intellectual property rights.
• The Law of Electronic Commerce Act is applicable to any kind of electronic data message and electronic document used in the context of commercial and non-commercial activities to include domestic and international transactions, contracts and exchange and storage of information.
• DTI (Department of Trade and Industry Philippines) is the lead agency charged with directly supervising the promotion and development of electronic commerce in the country with relevant government agencies.
• • Role of the Government - Government intervention, when required, shall promote a stable legal environment, allow a fair allocation of scarce resources and protect public interest. Such intervention shall be no more than is essential and should be clear, transparent, objective, non-discriminatory, proportional, flexible, and technologically neutral.
• • Role of the private sector - The development of electronic commerce shall be led primarily by the private sector in response to market forces. 
• International Coordination and Harmonization - Electronic commerce is global by nature. Government policies that affect electronic commerce will be internationally coordinated and compatible and will facilitate interoperability within an international, voluntary, and consensus-based environment for standards setting.
• Neutral Tax Treatment - Transactions conducted using electronic commerce should receive neutral tax treatment in comparison to transactions using non-electronic means.
• Protection of Users - The protection of users, in particular with regard to privacy , confidentiality, anonymity, and content control shall be pursued.