Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2025 submitted by Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)

Please provide links to your website where the requested information can be found in English, French, or Spanish.  Alternately, you may provide text responses instead of URLs if desired.  If the information is not available on your website in an ATR language, then please provide text.

URLs in responses should meet the following requirements:

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) shares the vision of a progressive nation that leverages intellectual property (IP) assets for inclusive economic and social development. In 2025, patent filings across all categories grew by a steady 8% to reach a total of 4,486 applications, indicating a heightened local awareness of the value of innovation. This growth was largely driven by a significant 25% surge in domestic resident filings, which jumped from 807 in 2024 to 1,007 in 2025. This remarkable growth in local engagement was driven by the expansion of the Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) network within higher education and research institutions nationwide, effectively making access to the patent system more available to all by establishing dedicated drafting and distribution centers directly within academia. Global interest also remained strong as Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) national phase filings grew by 12%, moving from 3,107 to 3,479, establishing the PCT route as the primary mechanism for international innovators entering the Philippine market.

In contrast to the rising application volumes, patent grant totals experienced a decrease across all sectors, dropping from 2,063 in 2024 down to 1,656 in 2025, with domestic resident grants decreasing by 36% from 105 to 67 and non-resident grants falling by 19% from 1,958 to 1,589.

Rather than a decline in performance, this reduction reflects a strategic direction by the Bureau of Patents (BOP) toward rigorous quality control and capacity building. During this period, the BOP heavily prioritized examiner readiness for complex emerging fields by drafting the Examination Guidelines for AI-Related Inventions and conducting advanced ICT and artificial intelligence training for its staff. Furthermore, the BOP continued implementing the Green Technology Incentive Program to encourage local innovations in sustainable technologies, focusing on areas like climate change adaptation, alternative energy, eco-friendly transportation, agriculture, and waste management. While these complex applications and standards take more time and have caused a temporary delay in grants alongside the surge in filings, it shows a firm commitment to high quality. Moving forward, IPOPHL's ongoing digitization and improved technical capacity will enable the office to efficiently manage further growth in the future.

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.

Link: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/

The information on IPOPHL’s new projects and ongoing incentive programs in specific areas of IP is available on the website. The link is provided below.

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

For the specific programs, these are as follows:

    1. 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. 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/
    2. Inventor Assistance Program (IAP): 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/
    3. Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH): a work-sharing initiative allowing applicants with allowable applications to request accelerated examination in another Patent Office. The IPOPHL currently operates the PPH on a bilateral basis with the Japan Patent Office (IPOPHL) 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/
    4. ASEAN Patent Cooperation (ASPEC): is a regional patent work-sharing program among nine ASEAN IP Offices that allows expedited processing from filing to grant. Link: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/asean-patent-cooperation-aspec/
    5. Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO): a network of 100 ITSOs in academic and research institutions to promote IP creation and increase Filipino innovation in the global patent system, while also supporting MSMEs through technical assistance in patents and trademarks. Link: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/innovation-technology-support-office-itso/
    6. Greentech Incentive Program: This initiative aims to stimulate ingenuity and accelerate the transition toward a sustainable future by encouraging inventors, researchers, and businesses to pursue patent protection for their groundbreaking green inventions. Link: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/greentech-incentive-program/  
    7. Socially Relevant Technologies Project: aims to promote the use of patent information to drive innovation, support technology transfer, and strengthen economic development and global competitiveness.                             Link: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/socially-relevant-technologies-srt-project/
    8. Youth Intellectual Property Incentive (YIPI) Program: 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/
    1. Centralized Monitoring for Examiners

Aside from digitization, the IPOPHL has started developing a centralized monitoring system for patents and industrial applications for examiners. The monitoring system aims to help examiners to manage their deadlines and workloads.


Patent Filings

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Growth (2024 vs 2025)

Resident

419

454

498

724

807

1,007

25%

Non-Resident

271

217

233

206

258

3,479

12%

PCT

2,977

3,361

3,679

3,600

3,107

Total

3,667

4,032

4,410

4,530

4,172

4,486

8%


Patent Grants

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Growth (2024 vs 2025)

Resident

23

44

54

56

105

67

-36%

Non-Resident

88

168

1281

1527

1958

1,589

-19%

PCT

819

1119

Total

930

1331

1335

1583

2063

1,656

-20%


    1. Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Official Website: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/
    2. IPOPHL News Page and Press Releases: For the latest updates and press releases: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/updates/news/ & https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/updates/press-releases/
    3. IPOPHL Transparency Page: For access to annual reports and performance indicators: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/transparency/
    4. IPOPHL E-Gazette: For published industrial designs and other IP filings: https://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/patgazette/
    5. IPOPHL Published Patent, UM & ID Applications for Community Review: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/published-patent-um-id-applications-for-community-review/

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.

    1. Direct Route filing:https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent/filing/
    2. Invention Registration Process Overview:https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/invention-registration-process-overview/
    3. PCT International Phase and National Phase filing:https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent-cooperation-treaty-filing/
    4. Information regarding the International Phase of PCT application: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/help-and-support/international-phase-patent-cooperation-treaty-faq/
    5. Information regarding the National Phase of PCT application:  https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/help-and-support/national-phase-patent-cooperation-treaty-faq/
    6. 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.

Under IPOPHL practices, an improper or deficient abstract is typically resolved through applicant amendments. If major defects are flagged early during formalities, the office issues an action requiring the applicant to submit a compliant revision. Ultimately, any corrected abstract must be strictly based on the original specification and cannot introduce any new matter

Link: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent/patent-examination-guidelines//

Nothing in particular

III. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

Publication of patent applications, first pages, abstract, bibliographic data, granted patents, etc., are done via Official Gazette. Information relating to e-filing, seminars, public consultations are found on the IPOPHL website.

Link: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/

IPOPHL’s Official Gazette is accessible only in online format and can be accessed through this URL. In the e-Gazette, IPOPHL publishes information and announcements in volumes three (3) times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).

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

The following announcements and information available in the e-Gazette are as follows:

    1. List of first publications and Bibliographic information of such patent application
    2. Registered patent Under R.A. 8293
    3. List of expired patent applications
    4. List of patent applications for first and second renewals of terms
    5. Certificate of Corrections for patent Applications

Patent databases and Non-Patent databases:

    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) for sequence 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 WIPO Publish Patent Search and IPOPHL's internal database IPAS (Industrial Property Automation System);
    4. National patent databases of other IP Offices such as USPTO, J-PATPLAT, AUSPAT, Espacenet, AIPN, etc.; and
    5. STNext, IEEE Digital Xplore, Scopus and Science Direct
    1. In-house databases:

       b. Commercial Databases:

    1. For applicants, WIPO Publish – free of charge
    2. For examiners, 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.

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

    1. IPOPHL uses commercial search tools, 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.
    2. IPOPHL has used internal examination tools including IPOPHL WIPO Publish (Patent Search) or WIPO Publish to assist Examiners with searching patent information. Link:https://wipopublish.ipophil.gov.ph/wopublish-search/public/patents?query=OFCO:PH)
    3. Online Application portal for self-filers to file applications: Link: https://onlineservices.ipophil.gov.ph/EInventionfile/
    4. 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:

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

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

Other tools supporting the business procedures:

    1. WIPO IPAS supports the end-to-end processing of patent applications
    2. WIPO Publish supports the patent search tool for published applications
    3. eGazette supports the publication of applications integrated to WIPO IPAS
    4. eInv and eUM supports the online filing of inventions and utility models applications integrated to WIPO IPAS
    5. eDoc Patents supports the online filing of subsequent communication, e.g responses, requests, annual fees, etc.
    6. eCorrespondence supports the electronic sending of communications/ correspondence to applicants/filers/representatives
    7. Internal Statistics supports the monitoring of information concerning examiner’s performance, number of filings/grants, etc.
    8. eFull Doc Patents supports the preparation of final patent documents upon publication or grant of patent applications
    9. eCertificate supports the issuance of electronic copy of Patent Certificate with a verifiable QR Code

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.

The primary system IPOPHL uses is the IPAS 3.6.1. It is a Java-based application using Windows as server and MSQL as the relational database. On the other hand, EDMS uses WIPO Publish.

PH patent bibliographic data and patent specifications are available electronically and may be searched on IPOPHL WIPO Publish Patent Search.

IPOPHL used third-party software, namely ASP Report maker to generate statistics in IPAS. The Office has also developed its own statistics website for internal purposes.

    1. IP Statistics: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/reference/statistics/
    2. IP Help & Support: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/help-and-support/

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

Establishment of patent libraries within ITSOs has been an ongoing commitment and is reflected in the ITSO clustering guidelines. As reported, nine patent libraries were established.

The IPOPHL publishes promotional events on different online social platforms such as facebook, tiktok, X, and the likes. Similarly, news and events can also be simultaneously seen on the IPOPHL website.

Several patent-related training sessions were conducted for academic institutions, including Innovation and Technology Support Offices (ITSOs) and non-ITSOs, as well as RDIs, MSMEs, startups, and relevant government organizations. These covered basic patents, patent information search, and patent writing.

The establishment of patent libraries in Innovation and Technology Support Offices (ITSOs) continued in 2025 through the ITSO clustering initiative. In 2024, nine patent libraries were established, as previously mentioned. During the same year, IPOPHL also prepared two patent landscape reports on Meat Detection Technologies and AI-Driven Innovation in Agriculture.

As of 2025, the Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) network has 103 members. The network continues to support researchers and institutions by providing access to quality technology information, helping them develop intellectual property, and supporting the commercialization of research outputs.

    1. Advanced Patent Drafting Workshop – The Bureau of Patents serves as the lead resource in the conduct of Advanced Patent Drafting Workshops for both Innovation and Technology Support Offices (ITSOs) and non-ITSO institutions. These workshops are tailored to enhance the technical drafting skills of researchers, faculty members, and technology transfer officers, enabling them to transform R&D outputs into high-quality patent applications. The BOP provides in-depth lectures, hands-on exercises, and one-on-one feedback on patent claim drafting and specification writing.
    2. Retooling on Online Patent Filing for Stakeholders – In support of digital transformation and improved accessibility, the BOP has conducted retooling sessions on online patent filing systemsfor various stakeholders. These trainings introduce users to IPOPHL’s electronic filing tools and guide applicants—particularly first-time filers—on the proper submission of invention, utility model, and design applications through IPOPHL’s digital platforms. This initiative enhances user efficiency and encourages wider adoption of online filing systems.
    3. Capacity Building for IP Professionals– BOP examiners and officials regularly serve as resource speakers and facilitators for key learning programs such as the IPOPHL Summer School, and the Patent Attorneys Training Course (PATC). Through these programs, participants gain foundational and advanced understanding of the Philippine patent system, including filing requirements, substantive examination procedures, patent search tools, and legal frameworks. These activities help build a pipeline of qualified patent professionals in the country.
    4. Seminars on Patent Laws, Examination Procedures, and BOP-Led Programs– The Bureau also conducts targeted seminars and orientation sessions on patent laws, regulations, and examination procedure and presentation of specialized BOP-led programs such as:

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.

Nothing in particular

VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PATENT INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

Acquisition of software for streamlining the data update process for patent information on WIPO Publish.

    1. ASEAN Patent Task Force and Community of Practice (CoP) for Patent Examiners
    2. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation – Intellectual Property Rights Experts Group Meeting
    3. Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and GRTK and Folklore
    4. ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation and ASEAN IP Register Workshop
    5. Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO
    6. Meeting of China-ASEAN Heads of IP Offices and China-ASEAN High-Level Workshop
    7. Session of the Standing Committee on The Law of Patents
    1. Capacity building and training of Brunei IPO examiners on patent examination.
    2. Proposed capacity building and training for IPD Myanmar candidate examiners, this collaboration in still in the discussion phase.

Nothing in particular

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

Note:  For each Standard listed below, please enter one of the following values: 

Implementation Status Definitions

"Fully implemented"

The WIPO Standard has been implemented in a manner compliant or compatible with the Standard.

"Partially implemented"

The WIPO Standard has been implemented in part.  The Office practice aligns with some, but not all, requirements of the Standard.

"On implementation phase"

The decision to implement the WIPO Standard has been made and it is currently being deployed, configured, or integrated into systems and workflows.

"Planning to implement"

The decision to implement the WIPO Standard has been made;  planning activities (resource allocation, timeline development, technical design) are underway before actual implementation begins.

"On assessment phase"

The WIPO Standard is under active evaluation to determine its feasibility, technical requirements, costs, benefits, and alignment with organizational needs before making an implementation decision.

"No plan to implement"

The WIPO Standard has been reviewed and there is currently no intention or plan to implement it.


WIPO Standard ST.1:  Recommendation concerning the minimum data elements required to uniquely identify a patent document

WIPO Standard ST.2:  Standard manner for designating calendar dates by using the Gregorian calendar

WIPO Standard ST.3:  Recommended standard on two-letter codes for the representation of states, other entities and intergovernmental organizations

WIPO Standard ST.6:  Recommendation for the numbering of published patent documents

WIPO Standard ST.8:  Standard recording of international patent classification (IPC) symbols on machine-readable records

WIPO Standard ST.9:  Recommendation concerning bibliographic data on and relating to patents and SPCs

WIPO Standard ST.10:  Published patent documents

WIPO Standard ST.10/A:  Format (margins, size) of patent documents

WIPO Standard ST.10/B:  Layout of bibliographic data components

WIPO Standard ST.10/C:  Presentation of bibliographic data components

WIPO Standard ST.12:  Guidelines for the preparation of abstracts of patent documents

WIPO Standard ST.12/A:  General guidelines for the preparation of abstracts of patent documents

WIPO Standard ST.13:  Recommendation for the numbering of applications for industrial property rights (IPRs)

WIPO Standard ST.14:  Recommendation for the inclusion of references cited in patent documents

WIPO Standard ST.15:  Guidelines for the wording of titles of inventions in patent documents

WIPO Standard ST.16:  Recommended standard code for the identification of different kinds of patent documents

WIPO Standard ST.17:  Recommendation for the coding of headings of announcements made in official gazettes

WIPO Standard ST.18:  Recommendation concerning patent gazettes and other patent announcement journals

WIPO Standard ST.19:  Recommendation for the publication of indexes issued yearly/half-yearly/quarterly by industrial property offices

WIPO Standard ST.20:  Recommendations for the preparation of name indexes to patent documents

WIPO Standard ST.21:  Recommendation concerning the reduction of volume of priority documents as filed with industrial property offices

WIPO Standard ST.22:  Recommendation for the authoring of patent applications for the purpose of facilitating optical character recognition (OCR)

WIPO Standard ST.26:  Recommended standard for the presentation of nucleotide and amino acid sequence listings using XML  (extensible markup language)

WIPO Standard ST.27:  Recommendation for the exchange of patent legal status data

WIPO Standard ST.36:  Recommendation for the processing of patent information using XML (extensible markup language)

WIPO Standard ST.37:  Recommendation for an authority file of published patent documents

WIPO Standard ST.40:  Recommendation concerning making facsimile images of patent documents available on CD-ROM

WIPO Standard ST.50:  Guidelines for issuing corrections, alterations and supplements relating to patent information

Note that IPOPHL issues corrections, which are published via IPOPHL E-Gazettes. Work is underway to reflect these corrections in a standardized format using INID Codes.

WIPO Standard ST.90:  Recommendation for processing and communicating intellectual property data using web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

WIPO Standard ST.91:  Recommendations on digital three-dimensional (3D) models and 3D images

WIPO Standard ST.92:  Recommendations on the data package format for the electronic exchange of priority documents

WIPO Standard ST.96:  Recommendation for the processing of intellectual property information using XML (extensible markup language)

WIPO Standard ST.97:  Recommendation for processing of intellectual property data using JSON


VIII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS

Please include any other relevant information here.

Nothing in particular




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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