IPOPHL launches programs to empower MSMEs, women inventors, designers

As part of its Women’s Month celebration, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) recently launched the Juana Patent and Juana Design Protection Incentive Programs (JPIP) to boost the participation of women inventors and designers in the country’s innovation scene.

“As the pandemic deepened risks on vulnerable groups like women, the JPIP comes at an opportune time to help them bounce back from the livelihood losses and economic challenges from the pandemic. By helping them capitalize their ingenuity and protect their intellectual property (IP), we are also fulfilling our commitment to do more in empowering women to spur innovation in the country,” Director General Rowel S. Barba said.

Expanding IPOPHL’s women’s programs from Juana Make a Mark Program, the JPIP will waive certain fees for up to 50 patent grant, 150 utility model (UM) and 150 industrial design (ID) applications that are qualified and filed.

Waiving the fees for application, publication and substantive examination, the new program will provide women inventors and innovative, women-led MSMES and startups with application savings from P2,700 for IDs and UMs up to about P5,100 for patents .

Applications processed through the JPIP will also be prioritized and coursed through IPOPHL’s fast lanes.

“This Juana program will promote gender inclusivity and enhance national innovation. IP is one of the areas where women participation can be greatly enhanced,” Bureau of Patents Director Lolibeth R. Medrano said at the program’s launch.

Medrano cited how IPOPHL’s innovation efforts have helped elevate the Philippines in a recent World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) data that ranked countries based on the share of women inventors applying through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) — the international route for a patent protection.

As the second leading country in this WIPO ranking, Philippines saw women inventors make up 38% of all PCT applications coursed through IPOPHL, pushing up their 22% share in 2020.

“We hope to sustain this momentum for women,” Medrano added.

To increase women’s awareness of the newest program, IPOPHL also signed last March 30 a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to jointly promote the JPIP.

At the MOA signing, DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez emphasized how protecting high-value IPs assets will help MSMEs prosper.

“All of IPOPHL’s creatively named programs highlight the role of IP as a valued asset and business tool for entrepreneurs. Protecting IP goes hand in hand with the DTI’s thrust towards shaping a culture of innovation and creativity. Again, we reiterate that we don’t want to  just create MSMEs. We want to create smarter and higher-value MSMEs,” Lopez said.

Aside from promoting the JPIP, the DTI and its NegosyoCenters will endorse individuals, MSMEs and start-ups who are engaged in the DTI’s priority sectors.

To benefit from the program, interested individuals, MSMEs or startups must pass a set of criteria as detailed in the JPIP webpage.

Potential beneficiaries must file their patent, UM or ID applications through IPOPHL or its Intellectual Property Satellite Offices (IPSOs) in the region.