PH exporters to score greater IP support in int’l markets with new IPOPHL-DTI-EMB tie-up

February 28, 2024

Philippine exporters will soon gain broader support in protecting their intellectual property (IP) assets in international markets through a collaboration between the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB). 

IPOPHL and DTI-EMB signed in January 2024 a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to expand the scope of IP projects and services that will encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to register their trademarks abroad.

“Filipino businesses exploring the greater global stage must ensure IP is part of their strategy in increasing their export value. Apart from offering the ability to protect export products from counterfeiting, piracy and other forms of infringement, securing IP rights can support businesses in taking advantage of the yet unrealized value of their export goods,” said IPOPHL Director Rowel S. Barba.

The current MOA is aligned with the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028. The PEDP aims to double current exports to $240 billion in 2028 and turn the Philippines into one of the world’s leading exporters of high-value products and services. 

“With protected IP assets, exporters can help realize the vision of the PEDP, from increasing the mindshare of Philippine products in the global market to developing a strong and innovative export ecosystem,” Barba added. 

DTI-EMB Director Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte said the partnership with IPOPHL “is a comprehensive response to the needs of our stakeholders as recognized by the PEDP and based on our continuous engagements with them.”  

Under the MOA, IPOPHL is tasked to identify potential exporters that qualify under its IP incentive package programs with the help of the DTI-EMB; capacitate the DTI-EMB on trademark protection and enforcement, as well as on the Madrid Protocol for international trademark registrations; and assist the DTI-EMB’s sponsored applicants under the “Juan for the World” program.

DTI-EMB, for its part, will promote the use of IP as valuable business assets to exporters, as well as the “Juana Make a Mark” and “Juan for the World” programs, to SMEs applying for trademark registration. It will also sponsor exporters’ basic and designation fees for the Madrid Protocol, subject to the availability of funds. 

“This is a very good opportunity for DTI-EMB and IPOPHL’s Bureau of Trademarks to work together. And with this collaboration, I am confident that the PEDP goals, while quite ambitious, will certainly be attainable,” said IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire C. Cabochan. 

The current collaboration follows a previous MOA signed by IPOPHL and its mother agency, DTI, to assist MSMEs with their trademark registration as part of the “Juana Make a Mark” program. This program incentivizes women-led entrepreneurs and innovators to register their trademarks at a reduced cost and with comprehensive assistance during application. 

IPOPHL, DTI and select private-sector partners had also partnered in 2021 under the “Juan for the World” trademark incentive program to encourage MSMEs to protect their trademarks in global markets under the Madrid Protocol. # # # (Joseph Nacino, Communications and Marketing Writer)