WIPO to help Philippines formulate strategy for intellectual property

The Philippines has signed an agreement with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to jointly develop a national strategy for intellectual property (IP) to address its needs and priorities in line with existing policies and economic goals, a senior official said Wednesday.

The agreement provides that WIPO will extend assistance to the Philippines in the form of assessment missions, research, and data collection and analysis, among other activities, said Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) Director-General Josephine Santiago.

IPOPHIL and WIPO will then develop a national IP strategy in consultation with stakeholders and as appropriate to the circumstances of the Philippines.

These circumstances include, for example, its legal environment, market conditions, available organizational support, and level of public awareness.

"There is a need for the Philippines to have a clear, comprehensive, and coordinated approach in promoting and enhancing our capabilities in the field of science and technology, research and innovation," said Santiago.

"With a national strategy on intellectual property, we can further encourage schools, universities, research and development institutes, inventors, creators and the business sector to avail of and utilize the benefits of the IP system." Enditem