THE intellectual property satellite office (IPSO) in Davao registered a total of 115 applications last year. Of this, 78 were trademarks while the remaining 37 were patents, utility models and industrial designs.
This made the IPSO-Davao land in third spot in terms of the number of applications received, next only to Cebu and the national capital region (NCR)/Region 4 areas. The IPSO-Davao covers regions 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao Region), and 13 (Caraga).
IPSO-Davao head, lawyer Lucky Siegfred M. Balleque, said the high registration turnout is a manifestation that IPSO-Davao is successful in raising the level of IP awareness of the people in this region.
“Despite the fact that IPSO-Davao only opened late 2008, there have been many applications registered. It’s good that they really maximize the presence of IPO in Davao. For so long, it has been a clamor of Mindanao businessmen and inventors to have an IPSO here,” he said.
The installation of satellite offices of the IPO in the regions was mainly aimed at establishing the presence of IP Philippines in the countryside and making its services accessible to stakeholders in the provinces.
IP Philippines said the setting up of IPSOs has three major importance, to wit: essential in the effective and efficient use of IP as a strategic tool for countryside development and competitiveness; capitalizes on the opportunity to collaborate with government offices such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and local government units (LGUs) in strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights in the countryside; and key factor in providing a platform for regional policy makers (DTI, LGUs, and business associations and intermediaries) to integrate IP in empowering the capabilities of various stakeholders.
“The establishment of IPSO here has made the processing of their IP applications easier. They don’t have to spend for plane fare and accommodation in Manila to apply for patent, utility model, industrial design, trademark, and copyright. Thus, lesser cost will be incurred,” he said.
Balleque calls on everyone to have intellectual property and creation registered with the IP Philippines so as to protect further their rights over these things.
This year, IPSO-Davao will continue to conduct IP awareness programs and provide assistance to IP stakeholders to further encourage IP filings in this part of the country.dti11.jmm
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