The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is partnering with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to encourage the development of digital infrastructure innovations.

IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel Arevalo signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with DICT Secretary Henry Aguda on Monday, Jan. 26, to formalize its partnership in making the country’s IP system responsive to the government’s goal of improving connectivity.

“This collaboration will augment our knowledge of new innovations and maintain IPOPHL’s record of efficiency, timeliness, and quality in providing patent-related services,” said Arevalo.

Through the agreement, he said the government will help equip innovators with the certainty needed to bring digital solutions from mere concept to actual deployment.

Under the MOU, both IPOPHL and DICT will work together in enhancing the technical capacity of examiners and other personnel to effectively assess and manage technological innovations.

This covers emerging fields in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, including blockchain, Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence (AI).

In terms of AI, the MOU will also aid IPOPHL in developing and implementing its strategy for IP rights aligned with national roadmaps.

With the help of the DICT, IPOPHL is hoping to establish an AI-oriented strategy that promotes responsible innovation and greater operational efficiency as the country moves towards wider adoption of the technology.

For his part, Aguda said the agreement will help bridge the divide between digital technology and IP protection in a bid to create an environment where Filipino ingenuity can thrive.

“Through this collaboration, we aim to strengthen the Philippines’ innovation ecosystem by ensuring that our intellectual property personnel are equipped with the latest ICT knowledge and skills,” he said.

IPOPHL said its partnership with the DICT comes at the most opportune time as sophisticated innovations continue to expand globally, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.

According to a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report, the region is at the center of the AI transition, with Southeast Asian economies projected to generate nearly $1 trillion in additional gross domestic product (GDP) over the next decade.

In its pursuit to nurture an online marketplace without counterfeits, IPOPHL has taken the lead in facilitating the e-commerce MOU, which introduced a voluntary system of notice and takedown to combat IP infringement online without resorting to litigation.

As of Jan. 26, 112 signatories to the MOU include online platforms, brand owners, and industry groups.

Within the quarter, IPOPHL is expecting at least three more parties to participate.

The MOU serves as a platform for signatories to collaborate and notify members of potential IP violations, paving the way for more efficient takedowns of online posts selling counterfeit products or pirated content.