CWS/ATR/PI/2023/PH

Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2023 submitted by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines

1. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PATENT INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of patent information activities and expected time frames for their realization

The Intellectual Property Office Philippines (IPOPHL) envisions a progressive Philippines using intellectual property assets for inclusive economic and social development by 2030. This is linked to the policies and plans that allow a Filipino citizen to benefit from their intellectual property. One such policy is the IPOPHL designation as an ISA/IPEA which started its operation on 20 May 2019 that aimed at the development of innovation and prosperity in the Philippines. Filipinos can now use the patent search and examination services offered for their PCT applications.

Since 2020, our strategy to leverage IP for innovation, creativity, knowledge creation, entrepreneurship, and competitiveness has been to support sectorial advancement through the use of the IP system; promote innovation and utilization/commercialization of IP assets; elevate the creative and cultural industries; improve the legal system, institutional framework, and structures related to intellectual property; and demystify, mainstream, and professionalize the IP by 2025.

IPOPHL’s patent policies involve revision of guidelines, information sharing through free seminars, assistance programs for inventors and small businesses, accelerated examination through work-sharing initiatives and programs, creation of free marketing space for free promotion of IP owners, partnerships with higher education and research development institutions to bolster support on our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and promotion of relevant technologies.

New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies and plans mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks.

In accordance with our policies, several guidelines are being revised to improve patent examination. These include:

• 2022 Revised IRR – This revision streamlines administrative procedures in the prosecution and registration of patents, utility models, and industrial design to meet the requirements of IPOPHIL and its clients.
• 2022 Biotech guidelines – This guideline is flexible and adaptable to new technologies, scientific knowledge, and trends in patent examination in the field of biotechnology. It has been amended based on the technical working group's discussion.
• 2022 ICT and CII guidelines – This guideline assists examiners in assessing the complexities of computer-related patents.
• 2022 Clarity guidelines – This guideline aims to help examiners assess clarity requirements for patent claims.
• Manual on Patent Examination Practice Part I - Part I of MPEP covers revisions in the important procedural aspects in the filing, formality examination, publication, granting and post-grant of patents, the registration of utility model and industrial designs, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) procedures and the Community Review Process.
• 2023 Patent Search Guidelines - The Guidelines provide a framework for the prior art search process for patent applications filed in the Philippines.

IPOPHL also aims to improve the technical expertise of patent examiners both in technological advancements and patent examinations through training such as:

• JPO IP Rights Training Course 2022 - international training conducted by JPO through JIPII and AOTS to enhance the general knowledge and capabilities of a patent examiner.
• ICED training – “Hurdle 2”, a training on patentable subject matter and inventive step of computer-implemented inventions.
• EPO advanced search training - a virtual training session covering the advanced use of EPOQUE net search database.
• Skills Training for Examination of Patents (STEP) - an ongoing hybrid training of newly hired Examiners Batch 2022 and 2023
• OS07-2023, EPOQUE Net: The art of efficient searching - an online advanced search training provided by EPO trainers.
• CAS STN SciFinder: Training on Non-Patent Literature Database for Chemical group patent examiners
• Examination Standards for Designs - including a Graphic Image, Building Designs and Interior Designs, and its Operations
• Training on Substantive Examination in Power-producing Mechanisms (Mechanical Field)
• WIPO Webinar on Women in Innovation in the Philippines In Celebration of International Women’s Month
• OS03-2023, a two-month tutored program on clarity, the sufficiency of disclosure, and non-unity
• Empowering Research Using Science Direct and Scopus
• IEEE Xplore Digital Library and Other Related Services
• CABI Digital Library and Genetic Resources Traditional Knowledge (GRTK)
• Orientation on Non-Patent Literature
• Dennemyer: Octimine Patent Software - Orientation on Non-Patent Literature Database
• WIPO Webinar -IP & Women: Training on Patents & the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for Women Innovators & Entrepreneurs

IPOPHL also offers seminars relating to intellectual property to the IPOPHL public, such as:

• iLEAP IP - a series of free seminars about the basics of intellectual property held weekly.
• WIPO Summer School - a 10-day lecture series on intellectual property and other IP-related matters for graduate/post-graduate students, young professionals, and government officials whose work may require them to have a better understanding of the laws and system of intellectual property.
• IPOPHL Student Internship and Practicum (ISIP) program - students of BS Chemical Engineering from UST with 5 months internship under Patents conducted hybrid.
• Advanced Patent Drafting Workshop

Main areas of patent information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year

ASEAN-USPTO Patent Examination Training in Pharmaceuticals; Biotechnology; Computer Inventions and Artificial Intelligence (Part I and II), 22-24 August 2022, Bangkok, Thailand

ICT training for patent examiners – Advanced aspects of computer-implemented invention: computer-implemented inventions and claim formulations (EPO)

OU01-2023, Supported self-paced course on computer-implemented inventions and business methods.

Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and grants with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes

Filings

Grants

Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.

[Patent | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent/)

[IPOPHL designated International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/news/ipophl-expands-service-for-filipino-inventors-starts-operation-as-international-authority/)

National Intellectual Property Strategy (2020-2025) (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/national-intellectual-property-strategy-nips/)

[iLEAP IP – Online LEAP IP | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/ileap-ip/)

[Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Filing Assistance Program | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent-cooperation-treaty-pct-filing-assistance-program/)

[Inventor Assistance Program | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/inventor-assistance-program/)

[Juana Patent and Juana Design Protection Incentive Program | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/juana-patent-and-juana-design-protection-incentive-program/)

[Youth Intellectual Property Incentive (YIPI) Program | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/youth-intellectual-property-incentive-yipi-program/)

[Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent-prosecution-highway-pph/)

[ASEAN Patent Cooperation (ASPEC) | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/asean-patent-cooperation-aspec/)

[IP Depot - IPOPHL - IP Depot (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://info.ipophil.gov.ph/ipdepot/)

[Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO) | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/innovation-technology-support-office-itso/)

[Socially Relevant Technologies (SRT) Project 2020 | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/socially-relevant-technologies-srt-project/socially-relevant-technologies-srt-project-2020/)

[PSR – COVID19 | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/psr-covid19/)

1. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information and support provided by the Office to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) – URL

On 01 September 2020, IPOPHL implemented the mandatory online filing. All filings, submissions, and payments should be done online through IPOPHL’s online portal. Only applications exceeding 250 pages and payments of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) and above per transaction shall be accepted at the IPOPHL Main Office.

The IPOPHL website provides information on the filing of online applications and in-person applications.

Direct Route filing: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent/filing/

Invention Registration Process Overview: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/invention-registration-process-overview/

PCT International Phase and National Phase filing: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent-cooperation-treaty-filing/

Information regarding the International Phase of PCT application: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/help-and-support/international-phase-patent-cooperation-treaty-faq/

Information regarding the National Phase of PCT application: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/help-and-support/national-phase-patent-cooperation-treaty-faq/

IPOPHIL also provides online support through Messenger. A messenger button is available on the lower right corner of the IPOPHL website for a quick chat.

Availability of the application dossier in electronic form

The patent application is published on the IPOPHL E-Gazette together with a search document established by or on behalf of the IPOPHL citing any relevant document or documents that reflect prior art.

https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/reference/notice-of-publication/

Also, on 17 September 2018, IPOPHL has officially launched the new IPOPHL Patent Search using the WIPO Publish platform, making available for public search all granted Invention, as well as published invention.

https://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/wopublish-search/public/patents;jsessionid=2B10DE90A91E017FD55C5D9EE9155DDC?0

https://wipopublish.ipophil.gov.ph/wopublish-search/public/patents?query=OFCO:PH

Classification, pre-classification (if applicable), reclassification   activities; classification system used (e.g., International Patent  Classification (IPC)), matters concerning indexing of patent information

IPOPHL classifies patent application publications according to the latest version of the International Patent Classification (IPC) at the time of classification and search. The selection of a primary classification of a patent application publication is based on the application's inventive concept using the claims as a guide.

Abstracting, reviewing, and translation of the information contained in patent documents

N/A

Other activities

IP Training and Assistance Programs

Information on how to get involved in the IP system and know about IPOPHL’s capacity-building and skills-upgrading programs in specific areas of IP is provided on the website.

https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/intellectual-property-training-and-assistance-programs/

Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO)

The ITSOs are universities and institution-partners of IPOPHL, that have been equipped with in-house patent libraries.

https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/innovation-technology-support-office-itso/

Inventor’s Assistance Program

The World Intellectual Property Organization, in partnership with the World Economic Forum sought to address this through the Inventors Assistance Program (IAP), in which the Philippines has been chosen as a pilot country. This program matches under-resourced inventors with qualified IP counsels.

Eligible inventors and small businesses seeking patent protection in the Philippines may receive free legal advice from IP lawyers.

https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/inventor-assistance-program/

Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)

The IPOPHL currently operates the PPH on a bilateral basis with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) since 2012, United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) since 2013, Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) since 2015, and European Patent Office (EPO) since 2017. All these PPH Bilateral Programs are extended for an indefinite period.

https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent-prosecution-highway-pph/

ASEAN Patent Cooperation (ASPEC)

The ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC) is the first regional patent work-sharing programme among nine participating ASEAN Member States (AMS) IP Offices of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/asean-patent-cooperation-aspec/

Juana Patent and Juana Design Protection (JPIP)

The JUANA PATENT and JUANA DESIGN PROTECTION (JPIP) is an incentive program that advances government's initiative to boost women, MSME and startup innovativeness and competitiveness. The program will waive certain fees in favor of 50 inventions, 150 utility models and 150 industrial designs that are qualified.

https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/juana-patent-and-juana-design-protection-incentive-program/

Youth Intellectual Property Incentive (YIPI) Program

The Youth Intellectual Property Incentive (YIPI) Program is an incentive program that will support and encourage young creators to build a more progressive and inclusive future in the Philippines’ innovation landscape.

https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/youth-intellectual-property-incentive-yipi-program/

1. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Main types of publications of the Office (patent applications, full text, first pages, abstracts, bibliographic data, granted patents, etc.), medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URLs)

The IPOPHL published the following official gazettes via the Internet in September 2012:

• List of Patents (Direct Route) Granted Under R.A. 8293
• Bibliographic Information of Patents Granted Under R.A. 8293
• List of Patents (PCT) Granted Under R.A. 8293
• Bibliographic Information of Patents (PCT) Granted Under R.A. 8293

The following is the URL of published gazettes provided through the Internet. The Official Gazette is published three (3) times /week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).

URL: https://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/patgazette/

Information products and patent document collections (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external collections and databases

• In-house databases:

IPOPHL has developed and used Internal Examination tools (e.g., IPAS, IPOPHL Patent Search) to assist Examiners with searching patent information

• Commercial Databases:

IPOPHL uses proprietary search tools, including Epoquenet and STN. Examiners also use free patent examination tools, including Espacenet, Lens. Org, J-platpat, KIPRIS, SIPO, EAPO, USPTO, WIPO, and Google Patent. Further, Examiners use a non-patent literature database available on the internet (e.g, IEEE, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar).

Information products and patent document collections (coverage, medium, etc.) available to external users, conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.)

Intellectual property databases such as IPOPHL Patent Search and E-gazette are accessible on the webpage of IPOPHL free of charge.

URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent/

Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)

Legal status information of applications filed in January 1950 onwards can be searched on the IPAS by using document numbers such as file type, file series, file number, and registration numbers.

1. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements

IPOPHL uses commercial search tools EPOQUE Net, STN, ScienceDirect, and Scopus to search databases such as EPODOC, full text patent databases and many non-patent literature databases. Examiners also use free patent and non-patent literature databases available on the internet such as Espacenet, Google Patents, Patent Lens, Patentscope, J-PlatPat, etc.

IPOPHL has used internal examination tools including IPOPHL Patent Search or WIPO Publish https://wipopublish.ipophil.gov.ph/wopublish-search/public/patents?query=OFCO:PH) to assist Examiners with searching patent information.

Online Application portal for self-filers to file applications:

(https://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/EInventionfile/)

Industrial Property Administration System (IPAS) is the primary tool for managing examiner workflow for both local and foreign filed direct route applications as well as PCT national phase entry applications.

The Office's publication system provides the following functions:

• Production of the patent applications published with search report;
• Production of patent certificates and original register entries; and
• Production of notices for patent applicants or their agents.

(https://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/patgazette/)

Remote Access: Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns required most staff to work from home (WFH) for an extended period. Reliance on, and capability for remote access matured quickly.

Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office

IPOPHL uses commercial desktops with Windows 10 and laptops with Windows 11 Operating system and MS Office 2010 for desktops and MS Office 2016 and 2019 for laptops.

Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources

The primary business system is the IPAS 3.11d. It is a Java-based application. The server is Windows. MSQL is the relational database. EDMS is Nuxeo.

Full specifications of all non-PCT designated PH patent specifications are available on the IPOPHL website and via Intellectual Property Digital Library.

Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file

The IPOPHL patent examiners are allowed to access the latest electronic search file especially examination reports from other offices on the on-demand basis by connecting to various databases including WIPO CASE, EPO Global Dossier, AIPN, and others.

Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)

IPOPHL used third party softwares namely: Tableau, Cognos and ASP Report maker to generate statistics in IPAS. The Office has also developed its own statistics website for internal purposes.

1. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF PATENT INFORMATION

Patent library: equipment, collection management, network of patent libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign patent libraries.

E-Library – IPOPHL’s E-library features a collection of materials on intellectual property, spanning historical information, technical information on IP legislation, and related research areas such as Philippine scientific and technological innovations.

(URLs: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/intellectual-property-researcher/ & https://info.ipophil.gov.ph/elibrary/ )  

STATISTICS (IPOPHL’s statistics) – The IP system, in numbers.

(Patent Information URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/reference/statistics/

LAWS, IRR, TREATIES – The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, related intellectual property laws, implementing rules and regulations governing intellectual property administration, and the international IP treaties that the Philippines observe.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/intellectual-property-code-implementing-rules-and-regulations/)

IP Academy Library – The Intellectual Property (IP) Academy serves as a national center for IP knowledge, learning and development, and research and publication. Its mission is to arrange, conduct, implement all learning requirements on intellectual property of stakeholders, both national and internal, and to conduct research and studies to enhance society’s intellectual property knowledge. (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/ip-academy/)

Glosaryo ng Yamang-Isip

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/glosaryo-ng-yamang-isip/)

1st IPOPHL - DLSU Intellectual Property and Innovation Research Conference - Book of Abstracts – a showcase of 43 research papers, empowering the inquisitive minds of the Filipino people that also marks a significant development in Philippine intellectual property and innovation research.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/1st-ipophl-dlsu-intellectual-property-and-innovation-research-conference/)      

E-GAZETTE: Notice of Publication - Publication of public and legal notices in patents, utility model, industrial design, trademark, copyright, technology transfer, and legal proceedings.

(for e-Gazette Patents URL: https://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/patgazette/)     

IPOPHL Case Library – This is an online database maintained by the IPOPHL containing decisions related to IP cases issued by the Supreme Court, the Office of the Director General (IPOPHL) and the Bureau of Legal Affairs (IPOPHL).
(URL: http://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/ipcaselibrary/main.html)

Browsing the collection of materials regarding intellectual property using IPOPHIL’s Office Library – the library is open to the IPOPHL staff and general users (8am – 5pm). In general, kindly visit: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/reference/

Publications related to different business procedures and patent information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.      

The IPOPHL can offer an edge to local industries by providing expertise on the analyses of patent data and patent activity in a given field of technology. Trends and current gaps in an industry’s technological landscape can be a springboard for further innovation. IPOPHL offers Commercial Patent Search and Patent Analytics services to institutions and businesses.          

PATENT MAPPING & ANALYTICS BENEFITS – Patent analytics is an in-depth study of patent data from which meaningful correlations and patterns between and among inventors, key technologies, industries, and geographical distributions may be established to spot trends and identify gaps. The list of benefits are as follows:

• Technology-driven Research and Development – wherein the latest technological advances and trends can be determined, technology scouting, technology gaps and “White Spaces” analysis, identify “crowded art” or crowded areas of technology, and framework for future research and development activities and/or collaborations.
• IP/ Patent Management Support – it includes science and technology innovation planning strategies, effective policy formulation, setting research and development directions, patent strategy
• Business Strategy and Competitiveness – wherein we can monitor competitors' activities, patent portfolios of companies (analysis of top companies and technology focus), identify potential partners/collaborators, as well as possible competitors; technology and development investments, or product launch for SMEs; and efficient allocation of resources.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/services/patent-search-analytics/ )

PATENT INFORMATION SEARCH - In conducting a patent search, patented and non-patented information are identified and analyzed to determine relevance and similarity to a given patent or proposed invention. Patent documents include granted patents, published pending applications, PCT-filed applications, and registered utility models (UM).

(URLs: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/online-filing/ & https://wipopublish.ipophil.gov.ph/wopublish-search/public/patents?1&query=OFCO:PH)

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Filing Assistance Program       

Recognizing the role of the patent system as a driver to further research and innovation, IPOPHL hopes to encourage more Filipino inventors to seek international protection of their inventions, considering the fee waiver program and the office’s upgrading of competence and expertise. (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent-cooperation-treaty-pct-filing-assistance-program/)

Patent Search Information Reports Related to COVID-19 (2021-2022)

In recognition of the role of patent information access in the current health crisis, this event will feature IPOPHL’s ongoing effort to provide COVID-19-related patent information reports free of charge for the use of the pharma industry, academe and the general public.

IPOPHL will detail how to use these reports in driving the development of COVID-19 related technologies and its other useful patent search services. Industry experts will also be joining to share their experiences with IPOPHL’s patent search services and how these boosted their R&D.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/psr-covid19/?fbclid=IwAR3E6V8LGprSy6n2NuZkC2nLybBhFxmJNTVC1rN84q7tDoSZ3Cb9iWH8kLs)          

National Intellectual Property Strategy (NIPS)

The National Intellectual Property Strategy (NIPS) is an agenda to harness Intellectual Property (IP) for innovation, creativity, and knowledge generation; for entrepreneurship and competitiveness; and to achieve public policy goals such as universal access to health care, agricultural self-sufficiency, and inclusive growth.

It aims to support the goals and targets of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022—particularly in the areas of science, technology and innovation, industry, education and culture—as well as the 0 + 10 Ten-Point Socio-Economic Agenda of the Philippine government.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/national-intellectual-property-strategy-nips/)         

Intellectual Property Depot (IP DEPOT)

The IP DEPOT is a digital platform, specifically a website, created by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) for Intellectual Property (IP) owners to promote their IP assets for potential commercialization opportunities. It was established to provide people with Patented Inventions, registered trademarks, copyright and industrial designs an avenue to showcase their IP assets to the world.

(URL: https://info.ipophil.gov.ph/ipdepot/)   

Youth Intellectual Property Incentive (YIPI) Program

The Youth Intellectual Property Incentive (YIPI) Program is an incentive program that will support and encourage young creators to build a more progressive and inclusive future in the Philippines’ innovation landscape.

Through the YIPI Program, youth inventors, designers and entrepreneurs can enjoy the waiving of certain fees, technical consultations and capacity buildings when they file their applications. (e.g. the benefits on this program are waiver of fees (For applications filed starting from 13 August 2022 – 31 August 2023) and  Technical Assistance and Capacity Building)

This Program is part of the innovation strategy of the IPOPHL to tap the talent and ingenuity of the youth to provide relevant and practical solutions to address the challenges faced by Filipino society today.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/youth-intellectual-property-incentive-yipi-program/)

JUANA PATENT and JUANA DESIGN PROTECTION (JPIP)

The JUANA PATENT and JUANA DESIGN PROTECTION (JPIP) is an incentive program that advances government's initiative to boost women, MSME and startup innovativeness and competitiveness. The program will waive certain fees in favor of 50 inventions, 150 utility models and 150 industrial designs that are qualified.

Beneficiaries will also enjoy prioritized and fast-tracked processing of their applications under the JPIP.

In the selection process, the individual, MSME or start-up must pass a set of criteria to benefit from the program. For availment of the incentive package, the applications must be filed at IPOPHL, through its headquarters or its Intellectual Property Satellite Offices (IPSOs) in the regions.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/juana-patent-and-juana-design-protection-incentive-program/)

Inventors Assistance Program

For some inventors in developing countries, financial barriers stand as the primary impediment to innovation and intellectual property protection. The World Intellectual Property Organization, in partnership with the World Economic Forum sought to address this through the Inventors Assistance Program (IAP), in which the Philippines has been chosen as a pilot country. This program matches under-resourced inventors with qualified IP counsels. Eligible inventors and small businesses seeking patent protection in the Philippines may receive free legal advice from IP lawyers.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/inventor-assistance-program/)      

Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)

The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) is a work-sharing initiative that provides patent applicants whose applications have been determined allowable by a Patent Office are entitled to request, through a simple procedure, for accelerated examination of the corresponding applications in another Patent Office. The IPOPHL currently operates the PPH on a bilateral basis with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) since 2012, United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) since 2013, Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) since 2015, and European Patent Office (EPO) since 2017. All these PPH Bilateral Programs are extended for an indefinite period. 

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent-prosecution-highway-pph/)

ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC)

The ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC) is the first regional patent work-sharing program among nine participating ASEAN Member States (AMS) IP Offices of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Through this program, applicants will be able to take advantage of expedited processes at participating AMS IP Offices from the time of filing an ASPEC Request until grant of patent.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/asean-patent-cooperation-aspec/)          

Socially Relevant Technologies (SRT) Project

It is the mission of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to develop the culture and create the environs for the country’s institutions to start using patent information to impart knowledge and drive Filipino innovations by building upon existing knowledge. Thus, IPOPHL aggressively pursues the promotion and utilization of patent information for technology transfer and development and as a strategic tool for economic development and global competitiveness.

For year 2022 theme “Food Waste Reduction and Food Loss Technologies”

(URLs: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/socially-relevant-technologies-srt-project/ & https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/socially-relevant-technologies-srt-project/socially-relevant-technologies-srt-project-2022/)         

Office's initiatives on providing foreign patent information in the local language(s) (e.g., machine translation tools, translation of abstracts)     

The IPOPHIL has provided translated video tutorials on how to file a Patent Application through e-filing wherein said videos are translated in English, and also translated into local languages ​​such as Tagalog, Ilocano, Cebuano.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent/)

Cooperation with universities, research centers, technology and innovation support centers, etc.

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT OFFICE (ITSO)

IPOPHL, in recent years, developed a network of 77 ITSOs composed of higher education and research development institutions. This program seeks to foster creation of intellectual property (IP) in the academic and research sectors, particularly in invention and utility models, to increase the national innovative output and to push the presence of Filipino inventions in the international patent system. Likewise, it is set up to strengthen support for our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the ITSOs extend technical assistance to MSMEs and local inventors as regards trademark and patent searches as well as drafting of patent, utility model, and industrial design documents.

(URL: https://info.ipophil.gov.ph/itso/)

ITSOs by Region and Type (URL: https://info.ipophil.gov.ph/itso/itsos-by-region/)

ITSOs by Competencies (URL: https://info.ipophil.gov.ph/itso/itsos-by-competencies/)

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SATELLITE OFFICE (IPSO)

The IPOPHL recognizes that effectively harnessing the intellectual property system towards economic development is a coordinated, nationwide undertaking. To extend its services and capture IP creators outside of Metro Manila, IPOPHL maintains a network of Intellectual Property Satellite Offices (IPSOs) throughout Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, housed in Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offices. (URL: https://ipophil.gov.ph/intellectual-property-satellite-office-ipso-2/)

Education and training: training courses, e-learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.

The IPOPHL Learning Activities Workspace (ILAW) is the official e-learning platform of the IPOPHL to support its mission to build an inclusive intellectual property system serving the needs of Filipinos.

Through information technology, IP Learning through ILAW is where stakeholders can be educated and trained on intellectual property, gearing towards the IPOPHL’s vision of a progressive Philippines using intellectual property assets for inclusive economic and social development by 2030.

(URL: https://ilaw.ipophil.gov.ph/)

Consequently, IPOPHL is the first entity in Southeast Asia to launch an online learning platform as part of efforts to raise awareness on intellectual property (IP) rights.

IPOPHL Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Program – is a 5-day seminar on Intellectual property that is fully accredited by the Supreme Court-MCLE Office. It is a specialized MCLE activity focused on intellectual property laws and other related laws. (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/news/ipophl-mandatory-continuing-legal-education-mcle-program/)        

WIPO-IPOPHL Summer School on Intellectual Property

As part of the overall IP Education and Awareness Program of the IPOPHL, the WIPO Summer School aims to provide a comprehensive 10-day lecture series on Intellectual Property and other IP-related matters for graduate/post-graduate students, young professionals and government officials whose work may require them to have better understanding of the laws and system of intellectual property.

The WIPO Summer Schools provide an opportunity for university graduate/post-graduate students and young professionals to acquire a deeper knowledge of IP, and how it can be used as a tool for sustainable development, as well as the role of WIPO in the administration and the provision of global IP services.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/wipo-ipophl-summer-school-2022/)

Learn, Be Empowered, Adopt, and Profit from IP (LEAP IP) – a series of free seminars about the basics of intellectual property that is being held weekly. One LEAP IP cycle was considered to include a session focused on (1) trademarks, (2) copyright, (3) patents, and (4) utility models and industrial designs.

(URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/leap-ip-free-introductory-seminar-on-ip/)

iLEAP IP – converted the face-to-face LEAP IP seminars to a webinar format. A mode of delivering IP awareness and education that will enable anyone with internet access to participate in IPOPHL lectures without leaving the comforts and safety of their homes or offices. (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/ileap-ip/)

Converted the face-to-face LEAP IP seminars to a webinar format. A mode of delivering IP awareness and education that will enable anyone with internet access to participate in IPOPHL lectures without leaving the comforts and safety of their homes or offices.

Licensing, Audit and Valuation (LAV) IP 101 Online Seminar Series – is a specialized course launched by the Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau of IPOPHL to provide IP awareness for business owners and IP rights holders by learning the importance and value of intellectual property management.

LAV IP 101 Online Seminar Series aims to educate and apprise IPR owners on the basics of IP Licensing, IP Audit, and IP Valuation at the comfort of the participants’ homes for their safety. (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/lav-ip-msme/)

IP Academy “Beyond IP Intelligence”

The Intellectual Property (IP) Academy serves as a national center for IP knowledge, learning and development, and research and publication. It covers the entire spectrum, from building intellectual property awareness, development of full intellectual property courses and module offerings, such as patent drafting, commercialization, valuation, enforcement, and other related courses for professional development. In addition, IP Academy combines basic, scientific, applied and policy research aimed at discovering new knowledge related to intellectual property and IP-related matters.

(URLs: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/ip-academy/)

IP Academy also offers the following:

• Basic Seminars – free intellectual property seminar for the general public, such as
  • LEAP IP (seminars related on IP) (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/ileap-ip/)
  • IP Roadshow (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/ip-academy/ip-roadshow/ )
• Intermediate To Advanced Trainings
  • IP Forward (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/ip-forward/)
  • IP Boost Camp (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/ip-boost-camp/)
• Certificate Courses And Professional Development Trainings
  • BeyondIP Mastercourse (Non-Legal and Legal Track)
    (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/ip-academy/beyond-ip-mastercourse/)
  • WIPO-IPOPHL Summer School
    (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/wipo-ipophl-summer-school-2022/)
  • Advanced IP Licensing Certificate Course
    (URL: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/advanced-ip-licensing-certificate-course/)
• Specialized & Targeted Topics
  • MCLE on IP and Technology Laws (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/mcle-on-ip-and-technology-laws/)
• Basic, Applied and Scientific Research and Policy-Making Articles
• Roundtable Events and Forums in Intellectual Property

In the year 2022, the IPOPHL organized and co-organized the following events related in Patent Information:

• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) held the Philippines as the second country with the biggest share of women inventors applying through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the international route for a patent protection. (8 March 2022)
• IPOPHL and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) signed a memorandum of understanding for the Juana Patent and Juana Design Protection Incentive Program in line with the celebration of National Women’s Month. (30 March 2022)
• IPOPHL celebrates National Intellectual Property Month 2022 with focus on digital economy (1 April 2022)
• The official launch of the IPOPHL Learning Activities Workspace (ILAW) and the book launch of the IP book entitled "Yamang Isip: Panimulang Aralin sa Intellectual Property sa Pilipinas" (20 April 2022)
• IPOPHL is the first entity in Southeast Asia to launch an online learning platform as part of efforts to raise awareness on intellectual property (IP) rights. (1 May 2022)
• IPOPHL conducted the live streaming of the Discussion on the Role of IP regarding Patents, and sometimes it is organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization and other Foreign IP Offices. (e.g. Discussion on the Role of IP in Supporting Innovation Ecosystems, a hybrid event organized by World Intellectual Property Organization and the French Patent and Trademark Office (INPI) dated last July 15, 2022)
• The 63rd Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to call for greater support for ASEAN to optimize the benefits of IP in building an integrated digital economy. (20 July 2022)
• iLEAP Plus conducted the seminar “Introduction to Patents, Utility Models and Industrial Designs” (24 June 2022)
• Around 150 teachers/participants were able to learn about Intellectual Property and how IP can be integrated in their lessons through the IP Forward>> IP Masterclass for Teachers. (28 June 2022)
• IPOPHL conducted an Information Session on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and FTA Negotiations as part of its efforts to capacitate its officials and staff in advancing the Philippines' IP interest in international engagements. (29 June 2022)
• The IPOPHL 2022 MCLE Program on IP and Technology (1 July 2022)
• The IP Department of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO visited IPOPHL to discuss future cooperation activities to be implemented starting the second half of 2022 until 2023, as part of the IPOPHL-JPO Memorandum of Cooperation. IP Masterclass on IP Enforcement will tell you what to do when you encounter IP violations. (7 July 2022)
• The IP Forward, IP Masterclass for IP Enforcement (19 July 2022)
• The 63rd Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to call for greater support for ASEAN to optimize the benefits of IP in building an integrated digital economy (20 July 2022)
• “The IP Boost Camp”. Almost 100 participants joined the first face-to-face IP Boost Camp organized by the IP Academy of #IPOPHL. Day 1 covered introductory topics on intellectual property and a panel session on the perspectives of MSMEs, Creatives, and Inventors. (25 July 2022)
• IPOPHL, DLSU and WIPO to develop Asia’s first Masters Program on IP Management and Innovation (28 July 2022)
• iLEAP Plus conducted the seminar “Introduction to Patents, Utility Models and Industrial Designs” (19 August 2022)
• "Workshop on Madrid and Hague Systems: A Route to Global Branding" (20-21 September 2022)
• The WIPO-IPOPHL Summer School 2022 was held on-site at the TESDA Women's Center (8-12 September 2022)
• IPOPHL has collaborated with the Korean Invention Promotion Association to explore how to best recognize IP professionals and fill in the great demand with skilled IP experts (21 September 2022)
• The 2022 Summer School, jointly held by World Intellectual Property Organization and IPOPHL, has produced six IP research papers that were developed by participants for a more immersive learning experience (27 September 2022)
• The Patent Knowledge Week of the European Patent Office (4 to 7 October 2022)
• IPOPHL participates at the side event of the 15th session of the Patent Cooperation Treaty Working Group (PCT WG) in relation to coordination of examiner training, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (4 October 2022)
• IP Masterclass for MSMEs in ICT Industry (7 October 2022)
• IPOPHL joined the International Franchise Expo (14-16 October 2022)
• iP Forward conducted the webinar on “Primer on the Patent Cooperation Treaty and Related WIPO Services” (25 October 2022)
• Webinar on Examination Practices of Designs (This webinar is part of the EUIPO-IPOPHL bilateral Working Plan 2022-2023, which aims to promote work-sharing practices on topics involving goods such as graphic designs and logos falling within the Locarno Classification [class 32]) (19 October 2022)
• iLEAP Plus conducted the seminar “Introduction to Patents, Utility Models and Industrial Designs (25 October 2022)
• Webinar: Primer on the Patent Cooperation Treaty, an IP Forward>> Special Series, conducted by the World Intellectual Property Organization, Bureau of Patents, and IP Academy. (28 October 2022)
• 2nd ASEAN Industrial Design Task Force (IDTF) Meeting (27 October 2022)
• iLEAP Plus conducted the seminar “Introduction to Patent Drafting” (15 November 2022)
• Seminar on the Revised IRR on Patents, Utility models, and Industrial Design (21 November 2022)
• The 2022 CES Lifelong Learning for Leadership Congress (22-25 November 2022)
• IPOPHL-DLSU Intellectual Property and Innovation Research Conference- (9 December 2022)
• IPOPHL held a press conference detailing the office's intellectual property (IP) enforcement operations for 2022 and IP enforcement strategies and awareness campaigns moving forward for the year 2023 (12 December 2022)
• IPOPHL was invited to one of the famous radio stations in the Philippines, “Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM,” to promote and discuss Intellectual Property Rights (28 December 2022)
• WIPO Webinar on Women in Innovation in the Philippines In Celebration of International Women’s Month (21 March 2023)
• Advanced Patent Drafting Worksop (14-18 August 2023)
• WIPO Webinar -IP & Women: Training on Patents & the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for Women Innovators & Entrepreneurs (15 November 2023)

1. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PATENT INFORMATION

International exchange and sharing of patent information in machine-readable form, e.g., priority documents, bibliographic data, abstracts, search reports, full text information

The IPOPHL has been using the WIPO Publish platform as the new IPOPHL Patent Search since its launch last September 2018, making available for public search all granted Inventions, as well as published and registered Utility Models, and Industrial Design applications.

WIPO Publish allows a highly customizable search experience, with researchers being able to apply filtering search mechanisms in the basic search mode or choose specific fields in an application's bibliographic data in the advanced search.

With the wider access to patent information, researchers, intellectual property (IP) owners, and potential intellectual property applicants can be aware of the existing technologies and designs that are published or already granted.

Conducting independent patent information search is the recommended practice for researchers to avoid duplication of effort and possible infringement. Interested IP stakeholders can also get an idea of the technologies and designs that are still novel and unexplored. Apart from their own specialized databases, patent examiners may also use WIPO Publish to aid their prior art search, a crucial step in determining an application’s novelty.

Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to patent information

IPOPHL partners with the Korean Institute of Patent Information to develop an automation strategy. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has taken part in an in-depth study launched by the Korean Institute of Patent Information (KIPI) in a bid to further automate IPOPHL services. Some existing KIPI solutions being explored are a centralized platform for searching all types of IP and an IP data distribution platform that could allow IPOPHL’s seamless data sharing with local and international partners. The Korean IP Office (KIPO) is a partner of IPOPHL in its Patent Prosecution Highway Program and several business seminar activities in the past.

IPOPHL as chair of the ASEAN Working Group for Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC)

Since IPOPHL’s stint as chair of the ASEAN Working Group for Intellectual Property Cooperation, or AWGIPC, the Philippines has worked tirelessly to promote greater cooperation among ASEAN member states, and with this come more invigorating opportunities for us here in the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines or IPOPHL.

At the time, taking on the leadership of an international cooperation group was not an easy task for our humble agency. We assumed the chairmanship when the country was yet to recover from its dip in 2020 intellectual property or IP filings while we transitioned to a fully digitized office to keep up with the demands of the pandemic.

This was also a critical period as many ASEAN member states were unable to step up to the role of a chair due to the worldwide pandemic. Nevertheless, IPOPHL offered to lead the AWGIPC, marking our third run since 1997 and 2010. At the time, the goal was clear — with so many pending deliverables, we could not allow the international IP cooperation to be without a chair.

Despite the obstacles in helming the AWGIPC, the IPOPHL managed to achieve an impressive 72 percent completion rate of the 2016-2025 ASEAN IP Rights Action Plan as of December 2022, from the 37.5 percent starting point since our appointment in 2021.

As the 69th AWGIPC meeting approaches — marking the end of IPOPHL’s two-year run as chair and is proud of the legacy that have cemented to inspire the next member state that will head the ASEAN IP bloc. In fact, March 2023 is an exciting time for IPOPHL to ceremonially turn over the chairmanship to the Lao PDR – a promising leader in the ASEAN IP landscape.

IPOPHL engages the youth and excites their indomitable spirit by showing how their ideas can make them effective changemakers of society. In Bohol province, schools can further these efforts by joining the Young IP Advocates Program which upholds IP promotion and creation by establishing active IP clubs at the high school level.

Bohol will also be receiving more guests as IPOPHL opens the 69th ASEAN Working Group on IP Cooperation Meeting on the captivating island of Panglao. This meeting gathers high-level IP representatives from the ASEAN Region and dialogue partners from the European Union, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the World Intellectual Property Organization, all convening to share creative and practical ways ASEAN can harness the IP system as a tool for its economic and innovative development.

This meeting will mark the conclusion of IPOPHL’s two-year leadership of the AWGIPC and hopes to end on a high note in advancing the ASEAN IP Rights Action Plan 2016 – 2025.

IPOPHL is now taking on the mantle as chair of APEC-IPEG for 2023-2024

Intellectual Property Rights Experts' Group (IPEG) is the dedicated APEC subgroup created to formalize a common perspective and voice among the member economies’ experts on IP rights. Director General Rowel S. Barba of IPOPHL ensures to continue meaningful and holistic cooperation with APEC member economies to uplift discussions about IP financing, IP in the digital economy and interconnectivity, and IP for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

This transition poses its own challenges as we scale up to roles on the global stage. In comparison to AWGIPC which is made up of 10 countries, APEC is composed of 21 member economies across the Asia-Pacific region, including non-traditional trade partners mostly from the Latin American region.

Assistance to developing countries

IPOPHL’s Director for Patents was elected as vice-chair of WIPO’s PCT Working Group. The PCT Working Group leads the preparation of agenda and documents to be elevated to the PCT Union Assembly, which is the primary decision and policy-making body at WIPO for enhancing the PCT System. With 157 contracting countries, the PCT assists applicants in seeking patent protection internationally for their inventions, helps patent offices with their patent granting decisions and facilitates public access to a wealth of technical information relating to those inventions.

1. OTHER RELATED MATTERS

Classification is allotting one or more classification symbols (e.g., IPC symbols) to a patent application, either before or during search and examination, which symbols are then published with the patent application.

Pre-classification is allocating an initial broad classification symbol (e.g., IPC class subclass or administrative unit) to a patent application, using human or automated means for internal administrative purposes (e.g., routing an application to the appropriate examiner).  Usually, pre-classification is applied by the administration of an office.

Reclassification is the reconsideration and usually the replacement of one or more previously allotted classification symbols to a patent document, following a revision and the entry into force of a new version of the Classification system (e.g., the IPC).  The new symbols are available on patent databases.