IPOPHL inks cooperation agreements with TESDA, CHEDTo advance further its intellectual property learning and education drive, the IPOPHL inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) each with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) paving the way for an IP policy in TESDA technical institutes (TTIs) and in Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs), and in higher educational institutions (HEIs).

“This memorandum of understanding solidifies the commitment of IPOPHL, TESDA, and CHED to lay the groundwork for IP consciousness in the technical education sector. Having an IP Policy, the basic and fundamental anchor for IP development, is the first step towards this,” said Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines Director General Josephine R. Santiago, at the IP Convergence Forum on April 26.

With the MOA with TESDA, IPOPHL will provide capacity-building and training of TESDA Technical Institutes (TTIs) on drafting and adopting an IP Policy, teaching of IP and IP-related courses, conduct a training-of-trainers workshop in TESDA’s Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development, and other IP awareness and information programs.

TESDA, on the other hand will undertake crafting of an IP Policy Template for the guidance of other TTIs and TVIs, and work towards integrating intellectual property modules in relevant courses identified by IPOPHL and TESDA.

For example, in TESDA’s entrepreneurship classes, the basics of trademark and its significance to business growth may be taught.

IPOPHL’s agreement with CHED is similar in substance in that it also centers on formulating an IP Policy.

For CHED, An IP Policy will facilitate the management of SUCs and HEIs’ intellectual property rights, as well as guide them on how to transfer that knowledge from the academe to the industry who may adopt it for
commercialisation.

Additionally, under the MOA, IPOPHL and CHED will jointly undertake capacity-building programs specifically to gradually integrate intellectual property in relevant courses and fields of study.

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the typical institutional IP Policy is a formal document, that may detail:

Ownership of and right to use the IP;
• Procedures for identification, evaluation, protection and management of IP
• Procedures for cooperation with third parties;
• Guidelines on the sharing of profits from successful exploitation; and
• Mechanisms to ensure respect for third-party IP rights.

The IP Convergence is a high-level, multi-stakeholder forum that gathers key IP stakeholders from across government, private sector, and academe to explore and tackle emerging issues changing the intellectual property landscape in the Philippines.