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JPO, IPOPHL expand patent examiners’ knowledge of ICT-based agricultural technologies
29 May 2024
Photo: IPOPHL
The Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) recently held a workshop with nearly 40 patent examiners to enhance their knowledge of examining agricultural products and solutions that utilize information and communication technologies (ICT). Two JPO-sent patent experts led the five-day session, “Cultivating Expertise: A Training on Substantive Examination for ICT in Agriculture Technologies.”
Among the potential outcomes of these combined technologies’ larger and enhanced data collection and analysis, automation and robotics goals include increased crop yields, improved quality, less waste water, fertilizer, and pesticide use, early detection and treatment of crop diseases and pests, improved farm management efficiency and profitability, and sustainable agricultural practices.
In her introductory remarks, IPOPHL Deputy Director-General (DDG) Ann Claire C. Cabochan stated that these technologies open new avenues for enhancing sustainability, efficiency and accuracy, which are critical for the agriculture sector’s continued expansion. “By ensuring the protection of these technologies, the country can reap the promises of these synergistic technologies that can make our agriculture sector competitive,” she said.
Examiners were able to stay up to date on the most recent developments in the field while receiving a thorough overview of the technical factors to be considered when evaluating ICT and agriculture technologies at the event.
To improve examiners’ ability to assess whether an application met one of the conditions for patentability – achieving an innovative step – the exercise also featured a number of particular case studies.
Cabochan conveyed his appreciation to the JPO for its ongoing collaboration in enhancing IPOPHL’s capabilities in cutting-edge technology. “With Japan as a forerunner in the global innovation landscape, IPOPHL sees these activities reaping meaningful outcomes in the long term. We are grateful to the unwavering support of JPO as a truly reliable partner and we look forward to more collaborations to come as the Philippines moves to accelerate its innovation abilities and outputs,” she said.
- Excel V. Dyquiangco
