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Strengthening intellectual property (IP) protection in the Philippines


The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) have formalized a partnership with  the Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines (IPAP)  and the Licensing Executives Society Philippines (LESP) that aimed at strengthening intellectual property (IP) protection in the country.

 

In two separate events, the IPO inked two memoranda of agreement (MOA) with the IPAP and LESP on March 2 and 6, 2026 respectively,  in Taguig City.

 

The term “intellectual property rights” consists of (a) copyright and related rights; (b) trademarks and service marks; (c) geographic indications; (d) industrial designs; (e) patents; (f) layout-designs (topographies) of integrate circuits; and (g) protection of undisclosed information.

 

IP laws lay down the remedies available to the IP owner in case of a violation of his rights through administrative, civil and criminal sanctions against violators.

 

The IP laws aim to protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly when beneficial to the people, for such periods as provided in the law.

 

Established in March 31, 1977, IPAP is an organization of intellectual property law practitioners with  the aim to professionalize the growing practice of IP law in the Philippines. It has assisted Congress and government agencies, including IPOPHL, in drafting IP-related legislation  and continues to play a consultative role in strengthening the country’s intellectual  property framework.

 

IPAP is the sole Philippine national group recognized by the APAA, the Asean Intellectual Property Association, and the Association Internationale pour la Protection dela Propriete Industrielle.

 

LESP is a national society of the LESI, a global umbrella organization of 33 national and regional member societies, representing more than 6,500 individuals involved and interested in the transfer of technology or licensing of IP rights, from technological know-how and patented inventions to software, copyrights and trademark.

 

The MOA  between IPOPHL and IPAP aims to  institutionalize collaboration in capacity building, policy advocacy and public outreach wherein they  will jointly conduct seminars, webinars, conferences and training programs for IP practitioners, lawyers, MSMEs and regional  stakeholders.

 

 IPAP will also support IPOPHL’s regional outreach initiatives to broaden IP  awareness and strengthen technical capacity across the country.

 

For its part, IPAP commits to provide provision of pro bono or reduced-fee legal  assistance to qualified MSMEs seeking to register, manage and enforce their IP rights.  The parties will also develop practical educational materials on IP strategy, branding,  franchising and technology commercialization to help enterprises maximize the value of  their creations.

 

On the other hand, the MOA between  IPOPHL and the LESP aims to strengthen intellectual property (IP) valuation and technology transfer in the country, aiming to support Filipino innovators and enterprises in assessing and realizing the economic value of patents, trademarks and other intangible assets.

 

IPOPHL and LESP will organize training programs and advanced learning courses focused on the valuation of IP assets, an emerging field that helps determine the economic value of patents, trademarks and other intangible assets.

 

LESP will contribute resource persons, technical expertise and learning materials from the global network of the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) to support IPOPHL-led programs.

 

The collaboration will also support research initiatives and potential publications on IP valuation in the Philippines, while contributing to the development of specialized IP courses for higher educational institutions.

 

In addition, LESP will provide pro bono commercialization support to under-resourced Filipino inventors and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the Inventor Assistance Program, aligned with global initiatives of the World Intellectual Property Organization and LESI.

 

The signing of the MOAs were led by  the presidents of the respective organizations, Atty. Dino Tamayo for   IPAP  and  Atty. Victor de Leon  for LESP.

 

“Intellectual property does not arise out of thin air, but from hard work and innovation. *Protecting these creations is simply just and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with IPOPHL to reach more people to benefit from the IP system,” Tamayo said.

 

“There must be a strong synergy between the protection and commercialization of IP rights that translates creativity and research into worthwhile commercial assets resulting in economic growth” de Leon said.

 

 ( Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang
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