IP Philippines celebrates 9th World IP Day
Underscores IP as a means to spur innovation and preserve the environment

24 April 2009, Makati. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) joins the world in celebrating the 9th World IP Day on April 26, 2009. As the lead agency in the IP system, IP Philippines calls on everyone, from inventors, innovators and creators, to users/consumers of products of innovation, to maximize IP tools to contribute to national development.

According to Atty Adrian S. Cristobal Jr, Director General of IP Philippines, an IP system that protects and promotes individual creativity and wealth creation, as well as a system that fosters innovation and creates opportunities, wealth and benefits for society is an integral part of a modern, thriving economy . “IP Philippines aims to foster a creative society that uses IP as a tool for national development. As a country, we have made significant progress in strengthening our IP system and promoting the value of IPR. Through reforms in the IP office, public-private partnerships and innovative public outreach programs we can build a momentum to respect IP and promote creativity.”

Moving forward, Cristobal says IP Philippines will focus on consolidating this wide network of institutions and form a pro-active community of IP advocates working systematically to achieve clear goals in the next few years with policymakers, legislators and the public. The idea of IP as a tool for national development means the existence of a system of institutions, policies, factors and an environment that encourages people to respect IP rights (IPR) and to use their IP assets to create wealth, generate employment and improve the quality of life in our society.

To commemorate World IP Day, IP Philippines spearheads a series of activities that focuses on how human creativity bridges innovation and environmental protection. In line with this year’s theme, “Green Innovation,” IP Philippines’ month-long celebration seeks to raise awareness of IP and how IP affects daily life. More importantly, the various events and activities highlight how protecting IP Rights can promote creativity and innovation.

Environment-friendly inventions are on show at the Green Invention Exhibit, housed in IP Philippines’ Innovation Area (ground floor, IP Philippines Building). The novel exhibit opened on April 23 and runs until the end of May 2009.  The exhibit highlights how human ingenuity can restore and preserve the delicate balance between the human condition and the environment. Featured are Filipino inventions that promote and use alternative sources of energy - solar, wind, water, geothermal and bio-fuel.

Meanwhile, Fine Prints: Multiple Originals, which features the works of the Philippine Association of Printmakers (PAP) including Pandi Aviado, Raul Isidro and Lenore RS Lim is free for public viewing at the Alab Art Space (also at the ground floor of the IP Philippines building in Makati) from April 21 to end of May.

A three-day Art Workshop runs on April 28, 29, & 30, for young artists ages five to 15 years old, with the theme recycling and preservation of the environment. A basic IP information activity will also be conducted to let the participants know and appreciate their creations.

On April 25, writers’ and authors’ IP rights in the digital age will be tackled at the Forum on Digital Rights Management, jointly hosted by IP Philippines and Instituto Cervantes. A concert featuring the country’s plum classical performers, UP Guitar Orchestra, first Guitar Orchestra in the country and premier classical guitar performer and teacher, Lester Demetillo will also be staged at the Instituto Cervantes on the same day. In support of the commercialization of technologies developed by the academia and research and development institutions, IP Philippines, through its training arm, the Intellectual Property Research and Technology Institute conducted the Second National Workshop on Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization on April 21-23. The three-day workshop linked technology creators, local and foreign experts and potential investors and addressed the critical role that technology commercialization plays in the effective and strategic use of intellectual property (IP) as a tool for economic development.