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Cooperatives in the Philippines get IP protection
06 July 2023
The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) have partnered to strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights for cooperatives, businesses or other organizations owned and run jointly by its members who share profits or benefits.
The memorandum of agreement (MOA), recently signed by IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba and CDA Chairman Undersecretary Joseph B. Encabo, represents a significant step toward advancing IP awareness. It advances alternative dispute resolution and streamlines the resolution of IP-related disputes within the cooperative sector.
The agreement primarily focuses on enhancing CDA staff members’ abilities in IP, adjudication and related areas in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The MOA also creates an ADR referral mechanism intended to speed up the resolution of IP disputes.
Barba voiced his delight for the MOA, viewing it as a significant step in preserving cooperatives’ IP rights.
“To enable cooperatives to thrive, innovate and have their IP rights effectively protected, it is crucial to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing and the utilization of cost-efficient ADR methods,” he said.
- Excel Dyquiangco
