AN increase in penalties for intellectual property (IP) violations and changes to trademark regulations are among the amendments being considered by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (Ipophl) to Republic Act 8293, also known as the Intellectual Property Code.
Ipophl Director General Rowel Barba backed Trade Secretary Alfredo Pacual’s proposal to amend the 27-year-old law and highlighted key areas being targeted for updates.
“[F]irst is doubling the penalty especially for those that affect life and health of our citizens,” he said.
Ipophl Director Jesus Antonio Ros said that removing the word “visible” or “visual” would allow their office to accept, examine and register non-visually perceptible or non-visible marks, such as marks from sound, scent and touch.
Barba also noted a proposed authority for a site-blocking order that is already progressing in the House of Representatives. In addition, provisions for parallel findings of utility models and patents and priority dates for inventors are also among the proposed amendments.
“These are some of the amendments to the provisions and patents so we can give more. This will be in favor of our inventors in the Philippines,” he said.
Barba added that they were hopeful that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would certify the amendment as urgent. He cited the President’s State of the Nation Address on Monday where the importance of enforcing IP rights for creatives was emphasized.
Meanwhile, to help micro, small and medium enterprises, Ipophl said that it was offering several incentive packages such as the Juana Make a Mark program where certain filing and publication fees are waived and a 50-percent reduction in fees is given to small entities.
By modernizing the IP Code, the Department of Trade and Industry and Ipophl are aiming to create a more conducive environment for innovation and business growth in the country that is aligned with global standards.
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