IPOPHL spotlights MSMEs at 2025 Alternative Dispute Resolution Stakeholders Forum
October 14, 2025
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), through its Bureau of Legal Affairs, highlighted its continuing campaign for inclusivity and accessibility in intellectual property (IP) protection at its annual Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Stakeholders Forum.
The forum, held on October 10, 2025 at IPOPHL’s office in Taguig City with the theme “Protecting Innovation, Supporting Growth: Arbitration and Mediation for MSMEs,” was attended by representatives from government offices, IP law firms, inventor-led enterprises and MSMEs, all with an interest in learning about ADR services as a less costly, less complicated and less adversarial alternative to litigation in resolving IP disputes.
“When we strengthen ADR, we ease the load on our courts, protect business relationships and promote confidence in innovation,” said Acting Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo. “Each dispute resolved with ADR becomes proof that collaboration can triumph over conflict.
The forum also emphasized the critical role of ADR in helping IP protection reach Filipino enterprises at all economic scales, especially MSMEs which represent 99.63% of business enterprises in the Philippines.
This, as litigation could demand significant time, energy and resources that could otherwise be allocated for business growth. For MSMEs in particular, this demand can be a major, if not fatal, hindrance to their operations.
“We promote equity by ensuring that access to justice is not limited by cost or complexity, and we foster innovation by nurturing an environment where ideas can flourish free from prolonged disputes,” said Deputy Director General Ann Claire C. Cabochan.
Various participants expressed satisfaction at the comprehensive discussion of the ADR framework, learning how IPOPHL can respond to their IP needs. One of these is Engr. Rodrigo Duque, President and CEO of Ozone Dynamic Enterprises, Inc., who has had multiple inventions registered with IPOPHL over the years.
“As an inventor, my main concern is patent infringement, of which I am very careful. Should there be legal matters related to the use of my patents, I now have a high confidence level that with IPOPHL’s ADR services, it would be easier and faster to resolve,” Duque said.
Another stakeholder, seasoned IP lawyer Kristian Nico C. Acosta, lauded the effectiveness of IPOPHL’s ADR system, recalling a sensitive case he handled involving popular social media personalities.
“With IPOPHL’s innovative ADR platform and exceptionally qualified mediators aboard, the MSMEs are assured they have access to cost-effective, quick and practical modes for settling IP-related disputes,” Acosta concluded. # # # (Rawl Maliwat, Communications and Marketing Writer)