BUILDING on their longstanding partnership, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have pledged to bring intellectual property (IP) awareness and support closer to at least 500,000 Filipino entrepreneurs.
The initiative will form part of a new cooperation framework that seeks to leverage existing and potential partnerships with business associations, chambers of commerce, professional networks, and other local institutions.
The goal is to bring practical IP assistance closer to Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), helping them protect their brands, manage their intellectual assets and pursue opportunities in international markets.
WIPO and IPOPHL will also explore ways to strengthen IP protection in e-commerce, including potential collaboration with online platforms to help merchants better protect their brands online.
IPOPHL and WIPO affirmed their commitment to the initiative through a joint pledge during WIPO’s recent mission to the Philippines.
The Philippines’ ‘animo’ is reflected in the energy, ambition and enterprise of its people. This new partnership is that animo in action — moving IP from a registration concern to real business impact, reaching entrepreneurs through trusted local partners such as DTI, DOST and the relevant business chambers they already belong to. Together with IPOPHL, our goal is half a million Filipino entrepreneurs. Through this new partnership, we help turn good ideas into stronger brands and viable, market-ready businesses and put IP to work for growth, jobs and opportunity,” said WIPO Director General Daren Tang.
For his part, IPOPHL Director General Teodoro C. Pascua said: “This joint force with WIPO is a great opportunity to not only enhance IP awareness but to make IP support accessible to any Filipino entrepreneur, artist or inventor. It also provides room for us to listen more closely to what our stakeholders need and draw up concrete solutions to help them gain competitiveness and scale beyond borders.”/PN
