Apec focuses on intellectual property rights

MANILA, Philippines–Member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation have committed anew to continue their collaboration and support for initiatives and measures that would boost intellectual property (IP) rights protection.

Foremost in the agenda during the two-day 40th Apec Intellectual Property Rights Experts’ Group (IPEG) meeting held in Clark, Pampanga last weekend, was the importance of IP rights protection in boosting regional and global competitiveness of small- and medium- sized enterprises.

In particular, Apec representatives discussed the facilitation of innovation and the exploitation of IP among SMEs, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said in a statement.

According to IPOPHL, the Philippines welcomed this breakthrough as the mounting interest in the topic complemented the country’s push to put the SME topic higher in the Apec agenda.

“Enhancing SME competitiveness through brand development, IP valuation and commercialization is one of our priorities. We see that SMEs can leverage on their IP assets such as their brands or trademarks for growth and expansion. Apec provides a suitable platform for us to build on our programs through cooperation and sharing of best practices with other Apec economies,” said IPOPHL deputy director general Allan B. Gepty.

The two other priorities presented by the Philippines at the meeting were capacity strengthening for effective IP enforcement and adjudication, and facilitation of the effective use of patent information aimed at assisting research institutions, academe and SMEs.

Apec member economies have likewise shown renewed support for different IPR areas including the management and effective use of IPRs; capacity-building in promoting understanding and appreciation of IP in the youth sector; facilitating technology transfer and IP commercialization, and enhancing IP enforcement and adjudication.

“Apec- IPeg has been devoted to delve with the most valuable initiatives and proposals that have become endorsed projects on some of the most relevant topics on IP. The ultimate mission of IPeg is to make the most of IPRs in Apec for the sake of building a better world,” said Apec-IPeg chair Miguel Ángel Margáin.