Intellectual property (IP) filings in the Philippines reached a record high in 2025, signaling stronger innovation activity driven by growth in patents, utility models, and industrial designs, according to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).

In a statement on Tuesday, March 31, IPOPHL said total filings for patents, trademarks, utility models, and industrial designs rose two percent to 53,231 in 2025 from 52,257 in 2024. The expansion was fueled by an 8.3-percent year-on-year increase in patent applications, alongside double-digit growth in utility model and industrial design filings at 20.6 percent and 30.2 percent, respectively.

“The new record in IP filings reflects a growing recognition of IP protection as a key strategy for competitiveness in a fast-paced digital economy. The sustained rise in applications, particularly in innovation-driven categories, points to accelerating innovation and a stronger appreciation of the need to protect IP assets,” said IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo.

IPOPHL attributed the momentum to a deepening culture of innovation, supported by programs such as the innovation and technology support office (ITSO) program, which enables universities and research institutions to translate research into protected, market-ready assets.

In 2025, the ITSO network, composed of 103 members, recorded strong growth in filings and increased commercialization activity. The agency also cited ongoing efforts to raise IP awareness and build the capacity of innovators, designers, creators, and entrepreneurs from application to valuation and commercialization.

“People are learning to better protect, manage and extract value from their IP assets. Enhanced IP capabilities are enabling this shift from creation to commercialization, ultimately creating jobs, growing enterprises and driving higher-value economic activity,” Arevalo added.

Patent filings reached 4,486, up 8.3 percent from 2024, with non-resident applications accounting for the majority at 3,479, up 4.3 percent, while resident filings surged 25.1 percent to 1,007. By field of technology, pharmaceuticals led with 794 applications or 24.9 percent, followed by digital communication with 433 or 13.6 percent, and biotechnology with 170 or 5.3 percent.

Utility model filings climbed to 1,918, up 20.6 percent, driven largely by resident applications at 1,848, which grew 20.4 percent, while non-resident filings increased 25 percent to 70. Food chemistry dominated with 243 filings or 51.5 percent, followed by basic materials chemistry with 29 or 6.1 percent, and electrical machinery with 19 or four percent.

Industrial design filings rose sharply to 2,576, up 30.2 percent, with resident filings increasing 46.4 percent to 1,587 and non-resident filings growing 10.5 percent to 989. The top categories were means of transport or hoisting with 377 filings or 19.2 percent; packages and containers for the transport or handling of goods with 219 or 3.9 percent; and recording and communication equipment with 134 or 6.8 percent.

Trademark filings reached 44,308 in 2025, maintaining a high level of activity despite a slight 0.5-percent contraction. Resident applications totaled 26,229, down 0.8 percent, while non-resident filings stood at 18,079, down 0.2 percent. Pharmaceuticals led trademark filings with 6,444 or 9.2 percent, followed by advertising, business management and office functions with 5,981 or 8.6 percent, and scientific and technological apparatus and instruments with 5,384 or 7.7 percent.

Despite the marginal decline, IPOPHL said trademark activity remained resilient, with domestic filings broadly stable amid a more cautious business environment, as reflected in the slower-than-expected 4.4-percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2025.

Meanwhile, deposits for copyrighted works increased 2.8 percent to 6,736, supported by stronger awareness of IPOPHL’s copyright registration services and the importance of registration. Books, pamphlets, articles, e-books, audiobooks, comics, novels, and other writings accounted for the bulk of deposits at 4,918 or 73 percent, followed by computer programs, software, games, and applications with 664 or 9.9 percent, and musical compositions with 286 or 4.2 percent. - Dexter Barro II