The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) assured of its continued efforts in supporting Filipino innovators and entrepreneurs, urgently responding to the growing demand for robust intellectual property (IP) protection and resources in an increasingly digital world.
At the 2025 Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) IP Practitioners Seminar, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire C. Cabochan delivered the keynote speech, highlighting the agency’s commitment to empowering local innovators and entrepreneurs through several ongoing efforts.
“This seminar is actually quite timely, given how intangible assets like IP, R&D and brands have grown in importance concurrent with the ongoing digital revolution,” Cabochan said.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) reported that 2023 saw global patent applications surpass 3.5 million applications for the first time. This also marks patent filings’ fourth consecutive year of growth and a year-on-year hike by 2.7% applications.
“Given this context, we are only happy to report on IPOPHL’s current activities to foster a creative and innovative environment for the Filipino people by ensuring a more robust IP system for our nation,” Cabochan added.
Cabochan highlighted IPOPHL’s support for innovators and entrepreneurs through programs that provide technical assistance and fee waivers to those seeking protection for their IP.
This includes the Green Technology Incentive Program, aimed at fostering sustainable innovations, and the Juana Patent and Design Protection Program, which encourages female inventors and entrepreneurs to protect their intellectual property.
Cabochan also highlighted its Youth Intellectual Property Incentive (YIPI) Program, which offers youth inventors, designers and entrepreneurs waived fees, technical consultations and capacity-buildings, and the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP), which is supported by WIPO and matches under-resourced inventors and small businesses with qualified IP counsels who provide free legal advice.
“Through these programs, IPOPHL is not only strengthening the IP system but also ensuring that marginalized groups, such as women and youth, have equal access to IP protection and the tools they need to succeed in a global market,” Cabochan explained.
The 2025 JPAA Seminar focused on strengthening practical IP skills. Following a plenary session, participants are divided into specialized groups. Patent professionals tackled topics like drafting patent claims and responding to office actions, while trademark professionals engaged in discussions on distinctiveness, infringement and related laws. These group work sessions not only provided hands-on training but also fostered networking and collaboration among IP professionals.
