More firms applying for trademark, patent

CEBU, Philippines - The Innovation & Technology Support Offices (ITSOs) and the regional office of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in Cebu have noted a surging number of Cebuano companies applying for trademark and patent, as well as copyright.

This shows that Cebuanos are now fully aware of the importance to protect brands, creations, or inventions, said Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu Provincial director Nelia F. Navarro.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), in partnership with DTI-Cebu, opened the ITSO offices here with host institutions such as Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT-U), University of Cebu (UC), University of San Carlos (USC), University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R), University of the Philippines in the Visayas-Cebu College (UPVCC), and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

The ITSOs or patent libraries, which offer access to 70 million patented technologies in the world, are now ready to assist entrepreneurs, investors, research and development (R&D) practitioners, researchers, students and the general public who want access to patent information or use the patent system. 

The ITSOs offer a regular library with patent search facilities and technical staff that provide general information on patents and the procedures for patenting inventions.

ITSOs also provide skills training in drafting and prosecuting patents, as well as assist the inventors on the management of their intellectual property rights and commercialization of their inventions.

The ITSO concept has long been utilized by companies in more developed countries as part of their business strategy. Here at home, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has established a franchise of ITSOs within top universities of the country, including CCCI to make it available and accessible to those needing its services.

Navarro said Cebu was chosen as the pilot area for this project because of its high potential for patent activity, usage of patent information, commercialization of innovation, and most importantly, because of the presence of qualified partner-institutions to host and operate these ITSOs   on their own account in accordance with the terms of reference and rules prescribed by IP Philippines.          

Earlier, IP Philippines director Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. said that unlike in the past, IP applications will take only an average of five to six months, and about five years for technical inventions such as patents of drugs and software, among others.

Registering a trademark for instance, would only cost a company between P3,000 to P5,000, renewable every five years. This can only protect the owner’s right in the Philippine jurisdiction.

Patent is granted for inventions, and industrial designs among others. Trademark an ownership registration given to designs, while copyright is for protection of original expression in form of literary, artistic, scholarly and scientific creations. (FREEMAN)