IPO BACKS CREATION OF ASEAN IP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICE HUB

The Philippines is actively participating in an on-going study on the feasibility of establishing Intellectual Property-Related Business Development Service (IP-BDS) hubs within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

The creation of IP-BDS hubs in the country is expected to greatly contribute to the growth of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector, says Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Director General Adrian S. Cristobal Jr.

The IPO is a member of the Working Group of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)-ASEAN Cooperation in the field of intellectual property, which supports the IP-BDS project.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the SME sector comprises 99.6% of registered firms in the Philippines, employs 69.9% of the labor force, and contributes 32% to the economy.

Cristobal says the Philippine SME sector still need to appreciate and optimize the use of IP in their business strategies. “Worldwide, SMEs are acknowledged as originators of IP innovations, creators of wealth and providers of job opportunities. Our SMEs therefore must learn to tap IP as a key tool for their growth,” he stresses.

“IP-BDS hubs will promote the creation, commercialization and protection of intellectual property among SMEs which in turn can substantially impact the economic development of the country,” Cristobal explains.

The feasibility study is conducted by a group of local consultants that include the Technology Management Center of the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPDil-TMC) and the Technology Application and Promotion Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI). DOST Undersecretary for Science and Technology Services Professor Fortunato T. Dela Peña heads the study team.

The study focuses on the possibility of establishing a network of BDS to cater to the needs of ASEAN enterprises, inventors, universities, and research and development (R&D) institutions.

Three roundtable discussions have already been organized among the various IP stakeholders as part of the consultations and data gathering for the research.

“The project is seen to stimulate IP asset creation among ASEAN countries, furthering research, attracting foreign investments, promoting technology transfer licensing activities, and opening doors for regional collaboration and cooperation,” adds Cristobal.

The study will be consolidated to come up with a report for ASEAN countries. From there, ASEAN countries will decide which among the recommendations can be adopted and be a basis for complementation in this area.