The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, the government agency tasked with carrying out state policies on intellectual property rights, has entered into a formal collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to strengthen the technical capabilities of patent examiners and other personnel. The agreement is designed to help the agency better apply emerging digital technologies in the administration and evaluation of intellectual property.
Under the partnership, the intellectual property office plans to assess how advanced tools such as artificial intelligence, blockchain systems, the Internet of Things, and other information and communications technologies can be integrated into patent registration and examination processes. The initiative reflects a broader effort to modernize internal operations while keeping pace with rapid technological change that increasingly shapes new inventions.
The acting director general of the intellectual property office explained that the move is essential not only for the agency’s national responsibilities but also for its international role. As an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority, the office provides early technical assessments that help inventors understand the potential strength of their inventions before pursuing patent protection across multiple jurisdictions. Strengthening expertise in emerging technologies was presented as a critical factor in maintaining credibility and accuracy in these international functions.
DICT Support for Skills Development
The Department of Information and Communications Technology committed to supporting the intellectual property office by ensuring that its workforce remains current with developments in digital and communications technologies. The department indicated that it would assist in equipping personnel with the specialized skills required to assess increasingly complex and technology-driven patent applications.
The ICT secretary emphasized that the collaboration is intended to reinforce the country’s innovation ecosystem. By combining digital technology expertise with intellectual property protection, the partnership seeks to create conditions in which local innovation can grow with stronger institutional support. The initiative was framed as a way to ensure that intellectual property professionals have access to up-to-date technical knowledge, enabling them to make informed evaluations while encouraging responsible innovation.
IPOPHL’s Recent Initiatives in Emerging Tech
The agreement builds on a series of recent initiatives by the intellectual property office aimed at addressing technological change. In November 2025, the agency issued specific guidelines for patent applications involving artificial intelligence. These guidelines covered key areas such as patent eligibility, the determination of inventorship, disclosure requirements, and the clarity of patent claims. The move signaled an effort to provide clearer standards for applicants working in rapidly evolving fields.
Earlier, the agency also entered into a memorandum of understanding focused on the e-commerce sector. Signed with 41 other organizations, including brand owners and online platforms, the agreement established a self-regulatory framework intended to combat counterfeit goods and deceptive trade practices. The arrangement sought to improve cooperation between stakeholders and reduce the circulation of fake or misleading products in both online and offline markets.
As part of that memorandum, participating organizations were given a streamlined mechanism to submit complaints directly. This approach was intended to make enforcement more efficient by addressing violations across physical and digital channels through coordinated action rather than fragmented processes.
Strengthening National IP Policy
Both the intellectual property office and the Department of Information and Communications Technology are members of the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights. This interagency body is responsible for shaping national IP policy and enhancing the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights across the country.
Their joint participation in the committee underscores the strategic importance of aligning technology policy with intellectual property governance. By formalizing cooperation through this new agreement, the two agencies aim to ensure that the national IP framework evolves alongside technological progress, supporting inventors while safeguarding the integrity of the patent system.
