IPOPHL to the youth: start respect for intellectual property at home

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) kicked off the National Intellectual Property Rights Month 2018 today, encouraging the children and young family members of IPOPHL employees to be ‘youth advocates’ of intellectual property at home.

 “It’s part of our mission to promote the culture of creativity among our own employees, and, as extensions of your parents, we want you to practice respecting intellectual property in your school and in your own homes,” said IPOPHL Director General Josephine R. Santiago, addressing the children of IPOPHL’s workforce during IPOPHL’s kick-off activity, a poster-making contest.

Patronizing authentic goods should be the advocacy of the whole family, as fake and counterfeit products pose a big risk to the health and safety of the family.

“Fake and counterfeit goods are against the law because these are not safe. Fake chargers may start fires, and fake toys may use chemicals, for example,” Santiago added, during the opening remarks.

The IPOPHL, through its Employees’ Association and the Human Resources Development Division , sought to raise awareness among the youth, public, and the family members of its workforce through the poster-making contest held on April 3 at the IPOPHL multi-purpose hall.

Around 30 participants took part in the half-day activity.  The younger participants were divided per education level, while a separate group was comprised of IPOPHL employees.

Aldred Christian P. Burgos, Jenelyn Ponce Aguilo, Ashlyn Rae Reciproco emerged as the winners in the elementary, high school, and college level categories respectively; Fatima Mamangon took the top prize among the IPOPHL employees. The winners’ posters are inspired by the National Intellectual Property Rights Month theme,  Itaguyod Ang Yamang Isip Tungo sa Kaunlaran.  

For more details on IPOPHL’s full roster of activities for the National Intellectual Property Rights month, click here.