Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2022 submitted by Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines

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:

• Link to pages with information in English, Spanish, or French
• The URL will remain stable over time (at least three years, preferably more)
• Goes to the specific information requested, not to a general homepage
• If the URL goes to a long PDF document such as an annual report, please indicate which sections or pages contain relevant information.
• Provide additional instructions for using the URL if needed. For instance, if the page requires the user to login first, or if the requested information requires selecting certain options or filters on the page that can not be included in the URL. 

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

1. Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of patent information activities and expected time frames for their realization
2. New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies and plans mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks
3. Main areas of patent information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year
4. Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and grants with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes
5. Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.

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

IPO 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:

1. 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.
2. 2022 Biotech guidelines – This guideline is flexible and adaptable to new technologies, scientific knowledge, and trends in patent examination in the field of It has been amended based on the technical working group's discussion.
3. 2022 ICT and CII guidelines – This guideline assists examiners in assessing the complexities of computer-related patents.
4. 2022 Clarity guidelines – This guideline aims to help examiners assess clarity requirements for patent claims.

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

1. 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.
2. ICED training – “Hurdle 2”, a training on patentable subject matter and inventive step of computer implemented inventions.
3. EPO advanced search training - a virtual training session covering the advance use of EPOQUE net search database.

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

1. iLEAP IP - a series of free seminars about the basics of intellectual property held weekly.
2. 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 better understanding of the laws and system of intellectual property.

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

1. ASEAN-USPTO Patent Examination Training in Pharmaceuticals; Biotechnology; Computer Inventions and Artificial Intelligence (Part I and II), 22-24 August 2022, Bangkok, Thailand
2. ICT trainings for patent examiners – Advanced aspects of computer-implemented invention: computer implemented inventions and claim formulations (EPO)

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.

1. [Patent | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent/)
2. [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/)
3. National Intellectual Property Strategy (2020-2025) (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/national-intellectual-property-strategy-nips/)
4. [iLEAP IP – Online LEAP IP | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/ileap-ip/)
5. [Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Filing Assistance Program | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent-cooperation-treaty-pct-filing-assistance-program/)
6. [Inventor Assistance Program | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/inventor-assistance-program/)
7. [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/)
8. [Youth Intellectual Property Incentive (YIPI) Program | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/youth-intellectual-property-incentive-yipi-program/)
9. [Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/patent-prosecution-highway-pph/)
10. [ASEAN Patent Cooperation (ASPEC) | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/asean-patent-cooperation-aspec/)
11. [IP Depot - IPOPHL - IP Depot (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://info.ipophil.gov.ph/ipdepot/)
12. [Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO) | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/innovation-technology-support-office-itso/)
13. [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/)
14. [PSR – COVID19 | IPOPHL (ipophil.gov.ph)] (https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/psr-covid19/)

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

1. Information and support provided by the Office to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) - URLs
2. Availability of the application dossier in electronic form
3. Classification¹, preclassification² (if applicable), reclassification³ activities; classification systems used (e.g., International Patent Classification (IPC)); matters concerning indexing of patent information
4. Abstracting, reviewing, and translation of the information contained in patent documents
5. Other activities

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

On 01 September 2020, IPOPHL has implemented the mandatory online filing. All filings, submissions, and payments should be done online through IPOPHL’s online portal. Only application 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 application and in person application.

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 International Phase of PCT application:

https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/help-and-support/international-phase-patent-cooperation-treaty-faq/

Information regarding 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

Classification, preclassification (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 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 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/

III. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

1. 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)
2. Official Gazettes: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URL), etc.
3. Information products and patent document collections (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external collections and databases
4. Information products and patent document collections (coverage, medium, etc.) available to external users, conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.)
5. Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)
6. Other sources

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/

Official Gazettes:  main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online – URL), etc.

Nothing in particular

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

a. In-house databases:

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

b. 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.

Other sources 

            Nothing in particular

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

1. Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements
2. Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office
3. Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources
4. Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file
5. Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)
6. Other matters

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

1. Patent library: equipment, collection management, network of patent libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign patent libraries
2. Publications related to different business procedures and patent information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.
3. Office's initiatives on providing foreign patent information in the local language(s) (e.g., machine translation tools, translation of abstracts)
4. Cooperation with universities, research centers, technology and innovation support centers, etc.
5. Education and training: training courses, e-learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.
6. Other activities

VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PATENT INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

1. International exchange and sharing of patent information in machine-readable form, e.g., priority documents, bibliographic data, abstracts, search reports, full text information
2. Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to patent information
3. Assistance to developing countries
4. Other activities

VII. 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.