Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2024 submitted by Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines


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

Information on the following topics is desired:

Recent years have seen a dynamic and positive trajectory for patent and intellectual property (IP) activities in the Philippines. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has been at the forefront of a nationwide push to foster a culture of innovation and IP protection. A key development has been the significant and sustained growth in Patent grants indicating a heightened awareness and appreciation for the value of intellectual property among Filipinos. Through the Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) network, IP is becoming more deeply integrated in academic and research institutions. These ITSOs, located in higher education institutions around the nation, have developed into essential centers for the drafting of patents, the distribution of patent information, and the filing of IP applications, therefore democratizing access to the patent system.


Furthermore, IPOPHL has been proactive in its international engagements, ensuring that the Philippine patent system is harmonized with global standards. This includes its role as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority (ISA/IPEA), which allows Filipino inventors to more easily seek patent protection in multiple jurisdictions.


Another major goal is the continuous digitization and improvement of online services to make IP registration and maintenance more convenient, efficient, and user-friendly for all Filipinos, regardless of location. This covers online facilities for filing patents, utility models, industrial designs, and trademarks. The IPOPHL - Bureau of Patents (BOP) carried out patent information activities such as various seminars and trainings on patents, the Greentech Program Launch, as well as related information and communication technology (ICT) practices, such as a comparative study on AI technologies and ICT or AI training for examiners.


Patent filings dipped by 8% to 4,172 from 4,530 in 2024. Pharmaceutical was the leading field of technology, followed by organic fine chemistry, biotechnology, basic materials chemistry, and digital communication. Further, patent grants increased by 30%, reaching 2,063 from 1,583 the previous year.


For more detailed information, the official IPOPHL website serves as the main portal for news, updates, and access to e-services. The site's transparency page contains annual reports and other publications that provide deeper insights into the office's activities and performance.


Patent Statistics:

Patent Filings

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Growth (2023 vs 2024)

Resident

         419

         454

         498

         724

        807

11%

Non-Resident

         271

         217

         233

         206

        258

25%

PCT

      2,977

      3,361

      3,679

      3,600

     3,107

-14%

Total

      3,667

      4,032

      4,410

      4,530

     4,172

-8%


Patent Grants

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Growth (2023 vs 2024)

Resident

23

44

54

56

105

88%

Non-Resident

88

168

1281

1527

1958

28%

PCT

819

1119

Total

930

1331

1335

1583

2063

30%

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

The IPOPHL has embraced digital solutions to streamline processes and enhance accessibility for all applicants. On 01 September 2020, IPOPHL implemented that all filings, submissions, and payments shall 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/

FAQs: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/help-and-support/

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


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.

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

A complete application dossier is not available publicly. Under the IP Code, only the application as filed and the patent as granted are made available.


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.


If in relation to conducting patent examination: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent/patent-examination-guidelines//


IP Training and Assistance Programs:

The information on IPOPHL’s capacity-building and skills-upgrading programs in specific areas of IP is provided on the website.

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


Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO):

The Innovation and Technology Support Offices (ITSO) Program conceptualized and launched in 2012 is a network of patent libraries across the Philippines particularly in areas with high potential for patent activities. It is composed of academic institutions with Science and Technology fields that generate technologies as well as other public and private organizations.

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


Inventor’s Assistance Program:

The IAP is a program of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) which matches developing country inventors and small businesses having limited financial means with patent attorneys who provide pro bono legal assistance to secure patent protection (free legal advice on how to file a patent to protect their inventions).

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

Link: 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, with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) since 2013, the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) since 2015, and the European Patent Office (EPO) since 2017. All these PPH Bilateral Programs are extended for an indefinite period.

Link: 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.

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


Juana Patent and Juana Design Protection (JPIP):

The Juana Patent and Juana Design Protection (JPIP) 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. To qualify for the program, the individual, MSME, or start-up must be engaged in business activity/ies considered as DTI / IPOPHL priority sectors and must pass a set of criteria.

Link: 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.

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


III. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

Below 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/


      1. Publicly available databases such as: (i) OPSIN (Open Parser for Systematic IUAPAC nomenclature); (ii) NCBI (National Centre for Biotechnology Information); (iii) EMBL- EBI (European Molecular Biology Laboratory - European Bioinformatics Institute) forsequence listing search; (iv) 3GPP (Telecommunication Technologies); (v) WIPO Case; and (vi) Patent Scope;
      2. Databases such as PubMed which provides non-patent articles in chemistry, molecular biology and other preclinical sciences, and The Lens for comprehensive DNA and protein sequence search;
      3. IPOPHL IPDL (Industrial Property Digital Library) and IPOPHL's internal database IPAS (Industrial Property Automation System); and,
      4. National patent databases of other IP Offices such as USPTO, J-PATPLAT, AUSPAT, Espacenet, and AIPN;
      5. EPOQUENet, STNext, IEEE Digital Xplore, Scopus and Science Direct; and
      6. Commercial search platform Thomson Innovation which covers Derwent World Patent
      1. https://wipopublish.ipophil.gov.ph/wopublish-search/public/patents
      2. Published 1957 - current



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

 

      1. 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).
      2. WIPO Publish – free of charge


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/


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

Information on the following topics is desired:


The Office's publication system provides the following functions:

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







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

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There were 61 patent-related training sessions (basic, patent information search, patent writing, paper B) delivered to academic institutions (ITSOs and non-ITSOs), RDIs, MSMEs, startups, and relevant government organizations. The establishment of patent libraries within ITSOs was included in the 2024 ITSO clustering recommendations. As previously mentioned, nine patent libraries were formed. IPOPHL also developed two patent landscape reports on Meat Detection Technologies and AI-Driven Innovation in Agriculture. Below were the specific training courses conducted:





These programs reflect BOP’s commitment to promoting inclusive and strategic innovation, while also responding to pressing challenges such as climate change, youth engagement, and technological advancement. Through these strategic initiatives, the Bureau of Patents continues to champion innovation by strengthening the technical capacity, procedural knowledge, and access to patent-related services for a wide range of stakeholders across the Philippines.

VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PATENT INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:


Primer for Patent Analytics for IP Offices, Singapore, June 2024


First Patent Analytics Community of Practice (CoP) Annual Symposium, Geneva, September 2024



VII. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIPO STANDARDS CONCERNING PATENT INFORMATION

(a) WIPO Standard ST.26 - Presentation Of Nucleotide And Amino Acid Sequence Listings Using Xml (Extensible Markup Language) – Implemented for PCT International Applications.

(b) WIPO Standard ST.37 - Authority File of Published Documents – Ongoing preparation of Authority Files (AF)

(c) WIPO Standard ST.96 - Processing Of Intellectual Property Information Using Xml (Extensible Markup Language – implemented in all data exchange


VIII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS

Please include any other relevant information here.




1.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.

2. Preclassification is allotting an initial broad classification symbol (e.g., IPC class or 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 preclassification is applied by the administration of an office.

3. 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.



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