PH’s Intellectual Property Law Modernization Imminent

The modernization of the Intellectual Property Law of the Philippines (IPOPHL) might be just around the corner as lawmakers amend the current Intellectual Property Code of 1998.

“A modernized Intellectual Property Code will help the Philippines keep step with global trends, making the country more competitive and attractive to foreign investors,” said IPOPHL director general Rowel Barba.

Barba stressed that modernization includes international standards and frameworks as well as the adaptation to current technology.

The lower house is now consolidating House Bill 8062, authored by Representatives Christopher De Venecia, Sharon Garin and Deputy Speaker Weslie Gatchalian from the House Committee on Trade and Industry.

17 amendments are being urged by the IPOPHL.

Key amendments include protection of partial designs or designs that make part of a certain product or article and the alignment of the definition of industrial design with the multilateral Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement.

IPOPHL already proposed amendments to give way to investors for them to register patent grant and file a utility model for their invention. This is called the parallel protection system.

With all put into consideration, IPOPHL also wants to establish an Intellectual Property Academy where learning, skills training and research are to be taught to students. (MLC)