MANILA — The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) today unveils the Intellectual Property Research and Training Institute (IPRTI). The institute is envisioned to be the center of intellectual property education in the country and in the region.
Education is one of the drivers of national development. Integrating intellectual property education in the consciousness of Filipinos will help foster a creative Philippines that uses IP as a strategic tool for national development, Atty. Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr., Director General of IP Philippines, said.
In a memorandum addressed to IP Philippines and other government agencies, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo likewise emphasized education as a means to disseminate the importance of intellectual property rights to promote creativity, innovation and competitiveness. In her nine-point directive, the President placed education on top of the list.
The inauguration of IPRTI is one of the offices activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the passage into law of Republic Act 8293, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. The code created the office and updated the laws on IP.
When IP generators scientists, inventors, academics, business owners, artists and those in the creative industries are informed of their rights, they protect and benefit from their creations. A country that promotes the use, protection and enforcement of IP will attract more investments and create more jobs. Beyond the economic benefits of IP, however, a high level of IP consciousness will help instill pride in our cultural heritage and in the creative genius of Filipinos, Cristobal added.
As the research and training arm of IP Philippines, the institute intends to raise the awareness level on IP. Its course offerings are designed for academic and research development institutions; business owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises; IP rights holders (scientists or inventors, artists); IP professionals (patent and trademark agents and officials involved in IP utilization, protection and enforcement) and; students from all levels. The institute will conduct trainings of examiners and other employees of IP Philippines. The institute is also envisioned to provide the IP training requirements of member countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
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