DTI, IPOPHL partner for free trademark registration for MSMEs

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to provide free registration of trademarks to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
(Photo: DTI/Facebook)

MANILA—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to provide free registration of trademarks to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the MOA signed by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and IPOPHL Director General Josephine Santiago, the two offices will implement a 12-month project “Juana Make a Mark” — an incentive package of free trademark registration to 1,000 MSMEs.

Juana Make a Mark project will waive fees on application filling, claim of color, and publication to enterprises engaged in agri-business, electronic manufacturing services, automotive, design-oriented furniture and garments, IT, tourism, construction, and other priority sectors.

The DTI will identify and endorse beneficiary MSMEs. Applications of MSMEs will be forwarded to Bureau of Trademarks for substantive examination.

Lopez said having a registered brands and trademarks are essential to boost the competitiveness of products and services of MSMEs.

DTI and IPOPHL Juana Make a Mark will be rolled out starting Feb. 14, 2017 to Feb. 14, 2018.