INTA and the Philippines IP Office sign MOU
05 May 2015
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Emma Barraclough, San Diego
INTA President J. Scott Evans and Allan B. Gepty, Deputy Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), yesterday signed a deal to increase levels of cooperation between the two organizations.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covers invitations to programs and meetings; cooperation in the organization of programs and meetings; the development of training programs; and the development of trademark-related programs for the public. This year, for example, INTA and IPOPHL plan to run a project focused on customs training in ASEAN countries.
“This MOU will help us to provide greater support to Philippine brands owners and IP practitioners so that they can effectively protect and grow their trademark portfolios,” said Evans. “We also look forward to developing educational programs for the Philippine public to help us demonstrate the importance of trademark protection and the key role that trademarks plays in their national economy.”
He added: “The MOU signed today demonstrates INTA’s continued efforts to internationalize and to offer its tremendous membership as a resource to other jurisdictions to cooperate with them to help improve their IP systems.”
Gepty said that the Philippines is entering “a demographic and middle income sweet spot” that makes it an attractive destination for global brands. “Trademarks will play a vital role in our country and benefit consumers,” he said. “In our country the mantra at the moment is ‘public-private partnership.’ This agreement is another remarkable milestone on the path towards the recognition of the importance of IP rights in the Philippines.”