IPOPHL eyes 10 percent hike in IP filing this year

MANILA, Philippines — The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has set a goal to increase intellectual property (IP) filings by 10 percent this year through its ongoing programs.

During a recent press briefing, IPOPHL director general Rowel Barba said that historically, IP filings have grown by an average of four to five percent per year.

“Actually we’re already happy with a five percent growth again this year from 48,000 [filings in 2022]. But for us internally, we want to target a higher growth rate if it can be 10 percent, we will strive to do so,” Barba said.

He cited programs of the agency especially on IP awareness and its IP incentives program, among others, as some of the drivers of optimism for the higher IP filings target.

Latest data from IPOPHL showed that IP applications increased by 3.7 percent to 48,259 in 2022. This is two percent higher than the previous record of 47,328 applications in 2019.

IPOPHL said trademark and patent filings, as well as copyright registrations, achieved all time-high last year.

To maintain the momentum in IP creation, IPOPHL said it would focus on three key strategies particularly, improving its IT infrastructure to ensure the consistent availability of its online services and smooth transactions; bringing IP to more areas to ensure regional inclusive growth; and engaging in the global IP community to gain new practices that would help IPOPHL and IP rights holders and users best respond to the digitalization of businesses.

Barba recognized the headwinds businesses may face amid inflation pressures and uncertainties brought by the global ecnomic slowdown and geopolitical tensions but reminded of the long-term benefits of IP.

“Amid a cautiously optimistic outlook for this year, some businesses may tighten the belt on spending but hopefully it does not come at the cost of failing to sufficiently protect their high-value IP assets. Those who bring IP to the center of their strategies could have greater chances of survival as valuable IP assets can elevate companies to greater heights of innovation, creativity and brand identity – all critical determining factors in a company’s long-term growth and competitiveness,” Barba said.

The IPOPHL chief also reminded of the social welfare opportunities from strengthening IP protection.