INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) filings rose 21% in the first four months of the year to 15,028 as businesses started to recover from the effects of the pandemic, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said in a report Wednesday.
The rise was interpreted to mean a hint of recovery after filings declined by 12% in 2020, with inventors and creatives delaying applications due to subdued business activity during the lockdown declared to contain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The recent uptick in filings indicates “a more positive outlook among businesses and innovation players on the country’s pace of recovery from the pandemic,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said.
“It could also signify that businesses are rebuilding stronger by integrating IP protection in their innovation and branding strategies.”
Utility model filings surged 33% to 420, the bulk of which came from food chemistry filings.
Trademark applications increased 26% to 13,041. Almost 4,000 of the applications came from the health and cosmetics industry, while agricultural products and scientific research also accounted for a significant portion of the filings.
Patent filings however declined 6% to 1,235, with many of the applications coming from pharmaceuticals. Industrial design filings also dropped 21% to 332.
Copyright deposits almost doubled to 444 from 233 last year.
Mr. Barba said that he is hoping that filings this year return to pre-pandemic levels.
“The office continues to double awareness and education efforts on the benefits of intellectual property to businesses and streamline our digital registration services to provide ease to registrants,” he said. — Jenina P. Ibañez
