IP Registration Key for Innovation Awards
By Editorial Team
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is emphasizing the importance of securing intellectual property (IP) protection for Filipino innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs looking to participate in the Presidential Filipinnovation Awards. This requirement aims to expedite the commercialization of local innovations.
According to IPOPHL officials, the updated guidelines mandate that entries to the national innovation competition must showcase technologies with either registered intellectual property or a pending IP application.
Deputy Director General Ann Claire Credo-Cabochan highlighted that this prerequisite aligns with IPOPHL’s mission to convert Filipino inventions into successful businesses and globally competitive products. The agency aims to establish a robust IP system that fosters innovation and encourages inventors, creators, and scientists to develop impactful products and services that enhance lives, spur business growth, and contribute positively to economic development.
IP registration not only protects inventions but also facilitates the commercialization process, attracts investors, and enables innovators to expand their presence in both local and international markets, Credo-Cabochan emphasized.
The Presidential Filipinnovation Awards, recognized as the highest honor for early-stage or market-ready Filipino innovations that drive national progress, is governed by Executive Order 99. The competition, overseen by the National Innovation Council and executed by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, requires eligible applicants to be Filipino citizens or enterprises with at least 60% Filipino ownership and registration with relevant government bodies.
To be eligible for the awards, innovations must be in the early stages of commercialization, possessing a functional prototype or operational model, and must demonstrate proof of IP registration or a pending IP application.
The top five finalists in the national competition will receive the Presidential Filipinnovation Award, along with grants and post-competition assistance to aid in scaling their innovations.
