On 5 May 2021, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines ("IPOPHL") signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO"), renewing their partnership and strengthening cooperation in intellectual property ("IP") protection and enforcement. The MOU covers different areas of cooperation such as: (i) trainings and capacity building for office administration and human resource development; (ii) awareness-initiatives on the importance of IP in innovation and economic growth; and (iii) information-sharing on IP-related, non-confidential matters and best practices.
With the renewal of the accord, USPTO has committed to (i) designate IPOPHL as a competent international searching authority ("ISA") and preliminary searching authority ("IPEA"); and (ii) provide capacity building in other areas to improve IP rights protection and enforcement, such as in IP awareness, education, valuation, commercialisation, and technology transfer arrangements. An ISA/IPEA prepares examination reports required under the international application process provided by the Patent Cooperation Treaty. The process involves initial assessments to help applicants assess their chances of being granted international patents. The World Intellectual Property Organization has designated only 23 ISAs/IPEAs to date and only three in Southeast Asia, including IPOPHL.
IPOPHL also recently announced that the US Trade Representative has kept the Philippines off the Special 301 Watchlist for the past eight years. The Special 301 Watchlist is an annual review of the global situation which identifies countries which do not provide adequate and effective IP protection and enforcement. According to IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba, this exclusion would help the country attract foreign business investments.
