Government says intellectual property system stronger, more cohesive

MANILA, Philippines - The intellectual property (IP) system of the country is stronger, more cohesive, responsive to IP owners and relevant to the developmental goals of the country, the government said.

In a letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which is currently conducting an Out of Cycle Review (OCR) of the state of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the Philippines and four other trade partners (Fiji, Israel, Poland and Saudi Arabia) the Philippines said that the progress in the past four years to ensure that the IP system protects and promotes innovation in the country is on track with the Philippines’ strategy.

“The evolution of our IP system in four years has been remarkable. A sober, realistic and broad perspective will help people appreciate the reforms underway,” the letter stated.

The Philippines’ Comment covered a review of the country’s strategy for IPR, which addresses five areas of the IP system: public awareness; institution and capacity building; sustaining enforcement and IPR adjudication; policy reforms; and international cooperation.

Among the improvements and milestones highlighted were: the 328.47 percent increase of confiscated fake goods, from 2005 to the present; the implementation of IP policies by 29 universities and campuses around the country; and the Philippines’ leadership of the ASEAN Working Group on the Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC).

In 2005, the total value of fake items confiscated was P1.1 billion. In 2009, from January to October, the tally is already at P4.9 billion. Annual average increase in yield of enforcement operations is at 174 percent.

IP Philippines’ geographic reach continues to expand, as well. In just a year, the field offices of IP Philippines have conducted 65 basic orientation seminars and generated 577 applications from the regions from Jan. 1 to Nov. 20, 2009. The field offices are in Baguio, Pampanga, Legazpi, Cebu and Davao.