MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry has emphasized the importance of access to global technology in the development of small and medium enterprises.

During the High-level Forum on Access to Global Technology for Innovation organized by Intellectual Property Office Philippines, Secretary Gregory Domingo said SMEs would benefit most from the IPOPHIL’s initiatives that deal with access to global technology for innovation. “The plan envisions SMEs being able to use information technology and the intellectual property system to develop a sustainable market share and gain competitive advantage for their product and services,” Domingo said.

Domingo noted that the establishment of Innovation and Technology Support Offices in 30 host institutions across the country, including universities, government offices, business associations and non-government organizations can serve as a platform for SMEs in making their products and services more competitive. “With these projects, SMEs can access technical information stored in patent documents. And then use this knowledge base to innovate or improve their products,” Domingo said.

The ITSOs, or Patent Libraries, which were launched during the Forum will serve as knowledge centers where in the public may access information about patents and inventions that have already been registered in the Philippines and all over the world. The host institutions offer a regular library with patent search facilities and technical staff which provide general information on patents and the procedures for patenting inventions.

ITSOs also provide skills training in drafting and prosecuting patents, as well as to assist inventors on the management of their intellectual property rights and commercialization of their inventions. Other IPOPHIL’s initiatives include the Industrial Property Automation System which offers a more efficient and transparent system for trademark and patent registration.

There is also the Juan’s Thousand Invention or the Patent Protection Incentive Package which encourages patent activity by providing financial support to pay the official fees associated with patent filing and prosecution, as well as maintenance of patents throughout their lifetime.*PNA

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