By Kimberly S. Miguel

Twenty-two researchers and faculty of state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Region I are being taught on how to protect the intellectual property (IP) of industrial designs in a virtual training-workshop that runs on October 5-7. 

Of this number, 10 come from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), and two each from the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), and North Luzon Polytechnic State College (NLPSC) in Ilocos Sur; Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in La Union; Urdaneta City University (UCU) and Pangasinan State University (PSU) in Pangasinan. 

Spearheaded by the MMSU’s Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) Office and the University Innovation and Technology Support Office (UITSO), the activity focuses on the preparation and filing of documents of registrable industrial designs. 

The training is part of the project, “Sustaining and Enhancing IP-TBM Offices Among Member-Agencies of the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC).”

Engr. Emmanuel M. Mendoza, area manager of the IP Field Operations Unit and the IP right specialist-patent examiner of the Bureau of Patents of Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), is the resource speaker in the training-workshop. He tackles the overview of IP office and rights, registrable industrial designs, registration procedure, drawing preparation rules, specification drafting, dealing with examiner’s action, and online filing. 

Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao, IP-TBM project leader and UITSO chief, said the training-workshop is a stride to protect the visual features of products and create their distinctive brand character. 

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis said through the training, the SUCs in Region I can protect, promote and commercialize their industrial designs inspired by local and national development initiatives. 

She also hopes each university will establish its own brand of industrial design. 

Industrial design is a form of IP available for design innovators worldwide, concentrated on protecting the visual features of an article: design, shape, pattern or ornament. Registration industrial design could protect an original design or shape of handicrafts, jewelry, vehicles, appliances, shoes, and gadgets. (StratCom)