Philippines Reports Record-high Filings for Intellectual Property in 2023
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has recently announced a remarkable increase in intellectual property (IP) filings, marking a significant milestone in the country’s innovation landscape. According to IPOPHL, the filings in its Innovations and Technology Support Offices (ITSOs) reached an all-time high in the previous year, showcasing robust momentum in the realm of intellectual property rights protection and innovation promotion.
In a statement released by IPOPHL, it was disclosed that the aggregate IP filings from ITSOs, comprising various higher education institutions, state universities, colleges, and other entities participating in the Innovation and Technology Support Program filed 1,535 IP filings overall in 2023 compared to 1,040 in 2022. This significant growth demonstrates how academic institutions in the Philippines are becoming more aware of and involved in using intellectual property assets to promote innovation and technological advancement.
The data further revealed that innovation-related IPs, including patents, utility models (UM), and industrial designs (ID), constituted approximately 90 percent of all filings received by the 87 ITSOs. Patents, in particular, experienced a remarkable increase, reaching 427 filings in 2023, marking a notable 77 percent increase from the preceding year. Similarly, utility models rose by 28 percent to 736, and industrial designs witnessed a significant rise of 57 percent, reaching 200 filings. The increase in trademark registrations, growing by 76 percent to 172, and copyright deposits, witnessing a staggering growth of 119.8 percent to 521, further accentuates the vibrancy of the IP landscape in the Philippines.
Rowel S. Barba, the Director General of IPOPHL, attributed this remarkable growth to the expansion of ITSO membership, which increased from 77 in 2022 to 87 presently. Additionally, Barba highlighted the pivotal role of capacity-building initiatives undertaken by IPOPHL in fostering a conducive environment for innovation and IP protection. He emphasized the crucial contribution of ITSO member institutions in spearheading IP-related activities within their respective communities, thereby fueling the nation’s socioeconomic progress.
The ITSO program, IPOPHL’s flagship initiative, catalyzes building the innovation capabilities of its members, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the IP system effectively. Since its redesign in 2019 as ITSO 2.0, the program has been tailored to provide customized support to members based on their unique innovation and IP capacities. This strategic approach has empowered ITSO partners to accelerate their technological advancements and enhance their IP commercialization efforts.
Barba underscored the significance of IP commercialization as a driving force behind societal impact, noting a substantial increase in commercialization activities among ITSOs. Data revealed that 39 ITSOs actively engaged in commercialization activities, marking a 50 percent surge from the previous year. Consequently, 74 reported commercialization activities were recorded in 2023, reflecting a noteworthy 51 percent increase, indicative of a burgeoning culture of innovation-driven entrepreneurship within the academic sphere.
The increase in IP filings and commercialization activities not only reflects the growth of the Philippine innovation ecosystem but also underscores the pivotal role of academic institutions in driving sustainable economic growth through innovation and technology transfer. As the country continues to prioritize innovation as a cornerstone of its development agenda, sustained efforts to strengthen IP protection and promote a culture of innovation are imperative to maximizing the full potential of Filipino ingenuity on the global stage.
