The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) have joined hands to reinforce the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights for cooperatives.
IPOPHL’s Director General Rowel S. Barba and CDA Chairman Undersecretary Joseph B. Encabo signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 16, 2023, marking a significant step toward enhancing IP knowledge, promoting alternative dispute resolution and streamlining the resolution of IP-related conflicts within the cooperative sector.
The agreement mainly focuses on building the capacities of CDA personnel in matters related to IP, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and adjudication. Lastly, the MOA establishes an ADR referral system designed for streamlining the resolution of IP disputes.
“The MOA between IPOPHL and CDA encompasses several crucial provisions that will have a profound impact on cooperatives across the country,” Bureau of Legal Affairs (BLA) Director Nathaniel S. Arevalo said.
Barba expressed his enthusiasm for the MOA, considering it a remarkable milestone in safeguarding the IP rights of cooperatives.
“It is crucial to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing and the utilization of cost-efficient ADR methods to enable cooperatives to thrive, innovate and have their IP rights effectively protected,” Barba said.
Encabo highlighted the importance of the MOA in fulfilling the mandate of both agencies for socioeconomic development, social justice and equity. He said the MOA will contribute to a “fair and inclusive business environment” empowering cooperatives and ensuring the protection of their IP rights.
The inception of the MOA stemmed from a meeting between the two agencies during the Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution’s 2022 awards ceremony where IPOPHL received recognition for its substantial contributions in promoting ADR. Arevalo and Deputy Administrator of the CDA’s Legal Affairs Service Leah Banagui-Han acknowledged the need for collaborative efforts to bolster the protection of IP rights and cooperative rights in the country.
BLA Assistant Director Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan emphasized this collective responsibility of IPOPHL and CDA representatives to work hand in hand with cooperatives, industry stakeholders and the wider community to promote a culture of respect for IP rights. She stressed the significance of forging strong partnerships and collaborative initiatives to create an environment that celebrates and protects the intellectual capital that defines our cooperatives.
As of 2020, over 8,800 operating cooperatives exist in the country. Reporting cooperatives alone, which make up about 58% of the total, recorded 11.5 million members and generated employment of about 365,000.