IPOPHL Extends Patent Filing Assistance Program for Global Protection
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has announced the extension of its Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Filing Assistance Program, providing crucial support for inventors seeking to protect their innovations abroad with minimized upfront expenses.
Fee Waivers and Technical Guidance for Applicants
Under the extended PCT Filing Assistance Program, IPOPHL will continue to offer significant fee waivers and expert technical consultations to guide applicants through the complex PCT system and application procedures.
Waived fees include:
- Preliminary search fees of US$200 for small entities and $600 for large entities
- Preliminary examination fees of $150 for small entities and $300 for large entities
The technical consultations are designed to help applicants fully comprehend the scope of the Patent Cooperation Treaty, which does not grant a single international patent but enables inventors to file one application that can subsequently take effect in multiple contracting states worldwide.
Program Eligibility and Application Details
IPOPHL has clarified that the program extension follows existing guidelines and will accommodate a quota of 100 eligible applicants. The initiative is open to:
- Individual Filipino inventors
- Higher education institutions that are members of the Innovation and Technology Support Offices network
- Foreign applicants who choose IPOPHL as their office of first filing
IPOPHL acting director general Nathaniel S. Arevalo emphasized the importance of inventors utilizing this program, stating it helps establish "a solid foundation in enforcing their IP rights against infringers" while facilitating smoother expansion into new international markets.
The Critical Importance of Territorial Patent Protection
Bureau of Patents officer-in-charge director Cristina P. De Guzman highlighted the fundamental principle that patent protection remains territorial, making the PCT system particularly valuable for inventors with global ambitions.
"As such, inventors must secure protection in each market where they plan to operate, whether through sales, distribution, or manufacturing," she explained.
The PCT system, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization, significantly simplifies and reduces the cost of filing patents and utility models across multiple countries by permitting a single international application process.
Philippines' 25-Year Milestone in the PCT System
This year marks a significant anniversary for the Philippines in international intellectual property cooperation, representing the country's 25th year as a PCT contracting state since joining the treaty in 2001. The PCT network has expanded substantially and now encompasses 158 contracting states worldwide, offering Filipino inventors unprecedented access to global patent protection mechanisms.
