NO to Fakes. KNOW the Original!

Joint campaign aims to create public awareness against counterfeits

With the release of our new banknotes , it is timely that there is a NO to Fakes. KNOW the Original! advocacy. HP Philippines and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) joined hands to raise awareness against the production and proliferation of fakes and counterfeits. Dubbed as NO to Fakes. KNOW the Original!, the campaign seeks to raise public awareness and commitment to stop the proliferation of counterfeits, including frequently counterfeited items such as banknotes (Peso bills) and Original HP Ink cartridges and toners.

“Both HP and BSP are targets of counterfeiters. We are very happy to take this first step to make people aware and to educate them on what’s real and not. We look forward to more partners to join this advocacy campaign,” said Armando Pascual, Country General Manager, imaging and Printing Group, HP Philippines.

The Philippines hopes for the removal of the country from the United States’ blacklist of countries tolerating intellectual piracy and counterfeits. In the past weeks, several government agencies have seized and destroyed counterfeit goods – from designer products to electronics. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas continues to protect the Filipinos from counterfeiters by working closely with police authorities while HP, along with the National Bureau of Investigation, has seized 22,000 fake ink cartridges and toners worth P21 million during this year alone.

To combat the proliferation of fake peso bills, the BSP has introduced several new security features in its new generation Philippine banknotes. HP likewise introduced genuine security seal features on its Original HP Ink cartridges and toners.

The advocacy is not limited to banknotes and HP catridges. A proliferation of fake shampoos, medicines, designer bags, DVDs is alarming.

Strengthening these initiatives, the NO to Fakes. KNOW the Original! campaign seeks to educate individuals and businesses on the economic risks of counterfeit goods, including billions of pesos in annual losses. Ultimately, the campaign is set to become a national movement that seeks to inspire consumers and establishments to make a commitment to stop supporting fakes and patronize original products instead.

The campaign spreads the inspiration by enlisting the help of celebrities and personalities who embody the advocacy’s noble ideals. These include celebrity mom Pia Magalona and son Elmo Magalona, trendsetter Tessa Prieto-Valdes, renowned lifestyle blogger Cecile Zamora Van Straten and social visionary Bam Aquino.

With their help, the campaign is set to embolden advocates from all over the country to unite and proudly proclaim – NO to Fakes. KNOW the Original!