By Rowanie A. Nakan | Raiza Alexis D. Radoc | Natalie Isabel P. Lim
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has been recognized and designated as a competent International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority (ISA/IPEA) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The IPOPHL joins the growing network of IP Offices considered by the USPTO as competent to carry out the international search for international applications filed with the U.S. Receiving Office, including the European Patent Office (EPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) (IPAU), the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) (Russian Federation), the Israel Patent Office (ILPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).
During the signing ceremony held at the USPTO headquarters on 06 March 2024, IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba expressed that “[t]o gain the trust of one of the world’s top five IP offices and frontrunners in innovation is a groundbreaking feat for IPOPHL.” Indeed, this significant milestone underscores the IPOPHL’s commitment to excellence and is a testament to the exceptional competence of the IPOPHL examiners.
In 2022, the WIPO reported that the U.S. Receiving Office received the second highest number of PCT applications [55,330 out of 278,100]. PCT applications filed. Considering the substantial number of PCT applications received by the U.S. Receiving Office annually, the recognition of the IPOPHL as a competent ISA/IPEA positions the Philippines as a trusted partner in the global IP ecosystem, fostering stronger ties with inventors, innovators, and businesses worldwide.