The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines collaborates with the Brunei Darussalam IP Office for patent service

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Brunei Darussalam IP Office (BruIPO) have joined forces to extend the latter’s search and examination services to its patent applications. This collaboration leverages IPOPHL’s effective procedures and over 76 years of experience in providing patent services.

Formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by BruIPO Registrar Attorney General Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmad Bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa and IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba in December 2023, the partnership entails various initiatives.

These include allowing reexaminations, offering opinions in response to oppositions to patent amendments, and conducting capacity-building programs to assist BruIPO in implementing global standards for patent search and examination. Over the next five years, IPOPHL will handle up to 200 applications annually from BruIPO.

Director General Rowel S. Barba expressed pride in IPOPHL’s role, stating, “This is the first time IPOPHL has been contracted out for a core function by another IP office. After more than 76 years of conducting patent search and examination, this demonstrates increased confidence in the effectiveness of our processes and our tried-and-true expertise in emerging technologies.” Barba highlighted that the establishment of the country’s first patent office under Republic Act 165 in 1947 laid the groundwork for this achievement.

He further noted that the Philippines stands out in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the first country to establish a Patent Quality Review System, resulting in IPOPHL’s patent search and examination services achieving high conformance with international standards. Additionally, the Philippines boasts one of the shortest turnaround times from application to award or denial.

Barba expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled that the ASEAN, which, like the Philippines, is trying to maintain its momentum to recover from the pandemic, is no less than a friend. This is our first-ever customer. We anticipate that this alliance would boost innovation in the ASEAN and act as a worldwide role model for cooperative efforts that produce significant results.” He emphasized that Brunei, like many other countries in ASEAN, has been witnessing a flourishing innovation sector.