In the first four months of 2021, according to IPOPHL, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of filings for intellectual property (IP) rights in Philippines. Specifically, the filings for IP rights security had increased by 21% to 15,028, compared to 12,409 files in the same timeframe last year. Utility model (UM) filings increased by 33% to 420 from 315 in the previous quarter.
Filings at 401 increased by 38% yearly. Most of the filings came from resident filers which account for over 95% of the total filings. At the same time, food chemistry (142 filings), basic materials chemistry (26), other special machines (25), handling (15), and IT management methods (11) were the most common fields in science.
Trademark filings
According to the statistic of IPOPHL, there has been a strong increase in the number of trademark approvals by this office. Specifically, approved trademarks had increased by 26% to 13,041 from 10,354 a year earlier. Residents, who accounted for the majority of trademark filings, boosted the total by 48 percent to 8,089.
Pharmaceuticals, health, and cosmetics (3,939); agricultural goods and services (3,546); science studies, information, and communication technology (2,848); management, communications, real estate, and financial services (2,419); and textiles, garments, and accessories (1,914) were the leading sectors for trademark filings.
Patent applications
However, patent applications had a slightly rough development. Particularly, patent applications fell by 6% to 1,235 from 1,320 in the same period. The largest obstacle in this system was a 31% decline in non-resident filings, which brought the number to 71. On the other hand, resident filings increased by 15% to 129.
Pharmaceuticals (543), organic fine chemistry (311), biotechnology (154), raw materials chemistry (115), and food chemistry (63) filed the most patents during this period.
Industrial design filings
Like patent applications, filings for industrial designs were also lower in this period. The number of industrial design filings fell by 21% to 332 from 420. This was attributed to a drop of 5% and 34% in applications from residents and non-residents, respectively.
Furnishing (16); items of adornment (8); other devices (7); fluid storage systems, sanitary, heating, cooling, and air-conditioning equipment, solid fuel (6); other household products (6); and packets and containers for the transport or storing of goods (6) were the top areas of technology for industrial design fillings.
Copyright deposits increased by 91%, from 233 to 444.
A bright future for IPOPHL and the IP industry
According to IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba, the rise in filings, especially in trademarks and utility models, may imply “a more optimistic outlook among businesses and innovation players on the country’s rate of recovery from the pandemic,”
“It may also indicate that companies are rebuilding stronger by incorporating IP security into their innovation and branding strategies,” Barba said.
“The Office continues to double recognition and education activities on the benefits of IP to companies and streamline our digital registration services to provide ease to registrants,” the IPOPHL director said.
You can see a list of Philippines IP firms here.