Southeast Asia’s first-ever IP distance learning system launched

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) launched on Wednesday the IPOPHL Learning Activities Workspace (ILAW), marking the first time an intellectual property (IP) office in Southeast Asia offered an online IP learning system to promote IP awareness.

“In line with our digital transformation journey,  our IP Academy has launched ILAW to ensure the health and safety of stakeholders amid the pandemic and the utmost convenience of everyone wanting to learn IP,” Director General Rowel S. Barba said.

The IP Academy, the national center for IP education and professionalization, also hopes to partner with educational institutions, government agencies, and international partners through ILAW in the future.

“Through ILAW, the IP Academy aligns with IPOPHL’s BRIGHT Strategic Goals and aims to support the IP learning initiatives of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” IP Academy Director Frederick P. Romero said.

At present, ILAW provides introductory courses on IP, trademark, copyright and patents. The courses contain lecture slides, interactive quizzes and video presentations, all of which are translated in Filipino.

Visitors can also find upcoming IPOPHL-hosted mastercourses—intended for more advanced IP learners—and register directly on the platform.

To date, the ILAW platform has drawn over 1,000 users, including international registrants coming from China, Sri Lanka, Palestine, India, Kuwait, Nigeria, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Several agencies lauded IPOPHL through messages of support delivered at the launch, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), WIPO Academy, ASEAN Secretariat, Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Global IP Academy.

“The ILAW affirms IPOPHL’s continued commitment to integrate IP awareness knowledge and education and IP human resource development, and to deliver in depth IP training for diverse stakeholders throughout the Philippines, including teachers, MSMEs, startups, creators inventors, women and youth,” WIPO Academy Distance Learning Program Head Altaye Tedla said.

“ILAW is aligned with IPOPHL’s aim to create an IP-conscious Philippines through balanced and effective IP learning and education. This, in turn, will promote innovation and creativity among our people and drive more inclusive socioeconomic growth and development in the country,” Barba added.