Patent protection package is now available in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) announced the availability of the Patent Protection Incentive Package (PPIP), also known as the “Juan’s Thousand Inventions”, at the Cebu Patent Libraries or Innovation & Technology Support Offices (ITSOs).

Under the incentive package, IPOPHL shall waive its fees for the first 1,000 patent applications and registrations subject to the rules and eligibility/qualification which started from March 22, 2012 to December 20, 2013.

The IPOPHL in partnership with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Cebu), opened the ITSO offices in Cebu with host institutions, such as Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT-U), University of Cebu (UC), University of San Carlos (USC), University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR), University of the Philippines in the Visayas—Cebu College (UPVCC), and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

The ITSOs or Patent Libraries, which offer access to 70 million patented technologies in the world, are now ready to assist entrepreneurs, investors, research and development (R&D) practitioners, researches, students and the general public to access patent information and use of the patent system.

The PPIP shall cover the waiver of the fees, such as filing fees and excess claims; fees for formality examination; fees for substantive examination; fess for publication; annuities from the 5th to 15th year, fees charged by and payable to IPOPHL in connection with the PCT application, and fees relating to assigning of rights from the inventor to a Higher Education Institutions (HEI).

The ITSOs offer a regular library with patent search facilities and technical staff that provide general information on patents and the procedures for patenting inventions. ITSOs also provide skills training in drafting and prosecuting patents, as well as assist the inventors on the management of their intellectual property rights and commercialization of their inventions.

The University of San Carlos was the first institution hosting an ITSO to avail of the incentives after filing the first two patent applications last 22 March 2012. USC’s invention pertains to the process of converting mango wastes into industrially useful products. 

With this Incentive program, the IPOPHL, DTI and ITSOs hope to see more patent applications/registration from entrepreneurs, inventors, researchers, academe and other practitioners of innovation and technology development.

IPOPHL in coordination with DTI-Cebu is showcased ITSOs services to Cebuanos during its participation to the recently concluded Cebu Business Month (CBM 2012) Expo held on June 15 to 17 2012 at the SM Cebu Trade Hall.

The ITSO concept, which has long been utilized by companies in more developed countries as part of their business strategy, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPO) has established a franchise of ITSOs within top universities of the country, including CCCI.

In an earlier interview with Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu Provincial Office director Nelia F. Navarro, she said Cebu was chosen as the pilot area for this project because of its high potential for patent activity, usage of patent information, commercialization of innovation, and most importantly, because of the presence of qualified partner-institutions to host and operate these ITSO’s or Patent Libraries on their own account in accordance with the terms of reference and rules prescribed by IP Philippines. (FREEMAN)