IPOPHIL sees Pinoy brands going global

MANILA, Philippines - The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is paving the way for Filipino brands to be protected in up to 85 countries abroad without having to leave the country.

Director General Ricardo R. Blancaflor said “IPOPHL gives Filipino individuals and corporations a golden opportunity to expand outside the Philippines in a new, simple, cheap, and effective way though the Madrid System.”

Under both domestic and international law, trademark protection is territorial, thus requiring business owners to secure applications on a per-country basis. By joining the Madrid System, the Philippines through the IPOPHL can make life easier for business owners who will then be required to file only one application in IPOPHL.

“Joining the Madrid System is not only advantageous for Filipino small and medium-sized enterprises, it also puts the country in the same level as modern economies at no loss to our government,” Blancaflor added.

The IPOPHL is hopeful that the country will join the Madrid System, which offers a trademark owner the possibility of having his or her trademark protected in several countries by simply filing one application.

Australia, Belarus, Belgium. China, European Union, France, Germany, Japan, Oman, Korea, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom, USA and Vietnam are among the 85 countries that have acceded to the Madrid Protocol.