IPOPhl and PCCI Collaborate to Secure MSME IP Rights
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPhl) have collaborated to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in securing their intellectual property (IP) rights and lengthening across borders.
IPOPhl stated that this recently developed partnership aims to increase the appearance of globally known Filipino brands and extend awareness of IP rights among micro businesses.
General Rowel Barba, IPOPhl Director, noted that they look forward to a well-built relationship with PCCI to empower MSMEs to gain success internationally.
In reference to Juan for the World Trademark program, Barba cited, “As such, we look forward to PCCI’s support in assisting MSMEs to register to our JFTW program, which encourages our entrepreneurs to protect their trademarks abroad.”
Based on the agreement, PCCI can pay for the standard fee of an applicant’s international trademark application under the Madrid Protocol through the JFTW program. It also aims to bring more women entrepreneurs and women-led MSMEs to own their brands under the agreement. It will also promote IP registration and support enforcement efforts to combat piracy and counterfeiting.
The Madrid Protocol serves as the international method for trademark applications, and the basic fee could be around ₱39,000 or more, relying on the number of goods chosen for a product.
PCCI Executive Vice President Ferdinand Ferrer highlighted the importance of IP within a variety of communities for developing competitiveness of MSMEs.
Ferrer stated, “Whenever you travel across the country, you can really see that there is something different with these MSMEs, that there is really that asset of creativity and branding.”
He added, “Unfortunately, there are challenges in explaining why they have to protect their brands, enforce their IP rights, and respect the rights of others. So this MoA (memorandum of agreement) is a very welcome development to our longstanding partnership with IPOPhl”.
IPOPhl will support the PCCI’s supported applicants by giving training on branding and trademark protection, waiving the handling fee for the international Madrid application, and offering support until their registrations are completely processed.
Moreover, both organizations also direct the commercialization of local innovations and technologies to boost economic enhancement.
