PCCI, IPOPHL to launch Brand Dev’t & IP Protection Council

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s largest business organization the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) are set to launch next week the Brand Development and IP Protection Council (BDIPCP) which seeks to strengthen IP awareness among businesses in the country..

The IPOPHL said the council would be formally launched during the Brand Development and IP Protection Summit to be held at Marriott Hotel on Wednesday.

The BDIPCP aims to promote greater awareness, utilization and protection of IP among businesses operating in the country.

One of the key thrusts of the BDIPCP is to increase awareness on IP valuation, an emerging practice that refers to the assessment of the value of IP assets.

By being more aware of IP valuation, more enterprises would be able to benefit from the IP system.

“IP use and awareness among businesses in the country is increasing.

Through the summit and through the council, we aim to provide the necessary framework in the further development and protection of IP assets of our businesses,” PCCI Intellectual Property Committee chair Jesus Varela said.

For his part, IPOPHL director general Ricardo Blancaflor said the agency looks forward to working with the business community in promoting greater IP awareness.

“Increased IP awareness and appreciation among our businesses will help us ensure that the Philippines will remain off the Special 301 List in the years to come,” he said.

Late last month, the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) said the Philippines has been removed from the Special 301 report’s Watch List amid legislative and regulatory reforms undertaken by the government to strengthen IP protection and enforcement.

The Philippines has been continuously placed either in the Priority Watch List or Watch List since 1994.

A trading partner’s placement on the Priority Watch List or Watch Listindicates that particular problems exist in that country or economy with respect to IP protection, enforcement, or market access for persons relying on IP.

The Special 301 report is an annual review of the state of IP protection and enforcement of America’s trading partners.