The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has launched the Juan for the World (JFTW) Program, a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and private-sector backed initiative that will enable 100 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to protect their trademarks and be competitive in global markets.
“We hope to make them realize the opportunities in the global markets and how early protection of trademarks can help them grow their business with ease,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said at the Oct. 7 launch of the program.
From 2012 –– when the Philippines acceded to the Madrid Protocol –– to 2020, IPOPHL recorded some 399 resident registrations under the international filing system. Of this, only 154 or 39% are small entities.
“This low rate is attributable to the lack of financing and know-how on the international trademark application process. Our newest Juan for the World Program will take down all these barriers,” Barba said.
Through the program, IPOPHL aims to assist 100 MSMEs to achieve successful registrations under the Madrid Protocol by end-2024.
‘The global trademark incentive package’
Bureau of Trademark (BOT) Director Jesus Antonio Z. Ros said IPOPHL will provide assistance throughout the registration process of a JFTW beneficiary and waive the P2,618 handling fee. Meanwhile, private sector partners will cover at least the basic fee — about P49,627 for a colored mark and about P35,888 for a black and white mark.
However, MSMEs approved for the program must be willing to shoulder the additional expenses in the registration such as the supplementary fee (about P5,496); complementary fee (P5,496); individual fee (ranging from P13,000 to 30,000, depending on country of choice); and/or costs to hire trademark agents usually required by laws for foreign filings in case of objections.
“This program provides big savings for MSMEs who are burdened by the overall Madrid Protocol registration fees but would like to protect their marks internationally. We hear stories of local MSME brands being copied in other countries and they feel defeated. With this program, we can protect Filipino brands in several major markets in the world,” Ros said.
“More importantly, aside from international trademark registration, the JFTW Program, through private and public sector partners, will provide beneficiaries with financial and technical business assistance, such as in marketing, management and many more. This makes JFTW the ultimate trademark incentive package to promote Philippine MSMEs’ global expansion,” the BOT chief added.
Partners
IPOPHL formalized its tie-up with initial partners for the program –– its mother agency, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) and the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) –– through the signing of separate memorandum of agreements (MOAs) on Thursday.
