Philippines' IP office shows an increase in IP filings by 21% in the first quarter

IP filings at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), have been increased by 21% to 15,028 in the first four months of this year. Compared to last year, the IP filings were 12,409.

The jump has been seen in various sectors with the Utility model (UM) increased by 33% to 420 from 315 in the previous quarter. With the increment of 38% over the year of filings at 401, multiple industries have seen a good number of filings such as food chemistry (142 filings), basic materials chemistry (26), other special machines (25), handling (15), and IT management methods were the most common fields in science (11).

Trademark also saw an increase in the approval rate amounting to 13,041 from 10,354 a year earlier, accounting to increase by 26% with maximum filings of 8,089, accounted by residents. Multiple sectors show a good number of trademark filings. Pharmaceuticals, health, and cosmetics (3,939); agricultural goods and services (3,546); science studies, information, and communication technology (2,848); management, communications, real estate, and financial services (2,419); and textiles, garments, and accessories (2,419) were the leading sectors for trademark filings (1,914).

With the decline of 31% non-resident filings, the total number of the patent application has been decreased by 6% to 1,235 from 1,320. Nevertheless, the resident filing has been increased by 15% to 129. Sectors-wise filing numbers were Pharmaceuticals (543), organic fine chemistry (311), biotechnology (154), raw materials chemistry (115), and food chemistry filed the most patents during this period (63).

In the field of industrial design, both resident and non-residents filing fell by 5% and 34% totaling to decrease in the filing by 21% to 332 from 420. Sector-wise filing number were Furnishing (16); items of adornment (8); other devices (7); fluid storage systems, sanitary, heating, cooling, and air- conditioning equipment, solid fuel (6); other household products (6); and packets and containers for the transport or storing of goods (6) were the top areas of technology for industrial design fillings (6).

IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said, "The increase in filings, particularly in trademarks and utility models, may signify "a more optimistic outlook among businesses and innovation players on the country's rate of recovery from the pandemic. It may also indicate that companies are rebuilding stronger by incorporating IP security into their innovation and branding strategies"

"The Office continues to double recognition and education activities on the benefits of IP to companies and streamline our digital registration services to provide ease to registrants," the IPOPHL director said, adding that "the Office continues to double awareness and education efforts on the benefits of IP to businesses and streamline our digital registration services to provide ease to registrants."