IPOPHL, local inventors’ group team up to foster innovation

MANILA  —The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is working with a local group of inventors with training support as part of a campaign to raise the country’s global innovation ranking.

The IPOPHL earlier this month signed with the 2,000-member Filipino Inventors Federation Inc. (Filinfed) a memorandum of agreement (MOA), which IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba said underscores [the agency’s] commitment in fostering innovation.

Barba said that by working closely with Filinfed, IPOPHL could address the challenges that inventors face when protecting, enforcing and commercializing their IP assets.

Improve standing

He added that this cooperation will also help improve the country’s standing in the Global Innovation Index (GII), where it landed 56th in 2023.

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Barba said the Philippines aims to take the 25th spot in the GII by 2040, as envisioned in the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document 2023-2032.

Under the MOA, the IPOPHL will provide advanced training activities and assistance to help Filinfed members have a strong foundation in the IP registration process for a smoother and faster application experience.

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As an ex-officio member of the National Innovation Council, the IPOPHL has also committed to help Filinfed establish connections to the innovation community.

For its part, Filinfed commits to actively participate in IPOPHL-led programs and other activities to promote IP and help the country climb further in the GII. INQ