MANILA — The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) reported on Friday that applications for securing intellectual property (IP) rights rose 14 percent to 10,024 filings in January to March 2018 from 8,761 applications in the same period in 2017.
IPOPHL Director General Josephine Santiago said in a media briefing that such an increase in applications with the agency reflects growing public awareness about IP rights.
The growth in IP applications is mainly being driven by higher number of filings on trademark, which increased by 12.6 percent year on year to 8,400 in the first quarter of 2018 from 7,463 in Q1 2017.
Applications for patent on inventions also increased by 38 percent to 986 this year from 717 last year, while filings for utility model patents grew by 59 percent to 331 from 208 over the same period.
On the other hand, applications for patent on industrial design declined by 18 percent to 307 in Q1 2018 from 373 in Q1 2017.
“The rise of intellectual property applications reflects the spreading awareness among the public of the importance of trademarks,” said Santiago.
“Of course, these efforts are underpinned by the growing understanding, appreciation, and relevance of trademarks among micro, small, and medium enterprises, ultimately driving the increased demand for protection,” she added.
The IPOPHL, headquartered in Taguig City, has satellite offices in Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Pampanga, Legazpi, General Santos, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Tuguegarao, Tacloban, and Dumaguete. (PNA)
