Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines

What Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines does

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is the national government agency mandated by the Intellectual Property Code of 1997 to register and administer intellectual property rights in the Philippines, operating under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Established in 1998, IPOPHL holds statutory monopoly authority over the registration of patents, trademarks, utility models, industrial designs, copyrights, geographical indications, technology transfer agreements, and IP dispute resolution. The agency serves five primary customer segments: inventors and researchers, micro/small/medium enterprises, artists and copyright holders, local producer associations seeking GI protection, and IP rights holders requiring enforcement support. Named beneficiaries span startups (Pili Seal, Jeremake), universities (CLSU, Ateneo), industry associations (PHAP, PCCI), and government R&D agencies (DOST-PCHRD).

IPOPHL operates a comprehensive platform-plus-services technology stack. Core digital infrastructure includes eight electronic filing portals — eInventionFile (patents), eUMfile (utility models), eIDfile (industrial designs), eTM File (trademarks), eDocfile for Patents and Trademarks, and Madrid eFiling for international trademark filings — supplemented by eCorr 2.0 for correspondence management, Patent Search and Analytics, IP Case Library, an e-Gazette publication system, and the IP Depot online marketplace for IP asset commercialization. Supporting programs include the Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO) network of 77-100 university and R&D partners, the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP) for pro bono patent counsel, IP Academy training (LEAP IP, WIPO-IPOPHL Summer School, L.A.V. IP), and bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) work-sharing agreements with JPO (2012), USPTO (2013), KIPO (2015), and EPO (2017) for accelerated international patent examination.

The agency's revenue model combines transaction-based official filing fees across all IP categories with national government budget appropriations under DTI and ancillary professional services fees for patent search and landscape reports. Distribution is multi-channel: direct in-person service at the main Manila office and IP Satellite Offices (IPSOs) co-located in DTI regional offices nationwide, online self-serve e-Services platforms, and partner-delivered IP services through the ITSO network. IPOPHL holds ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification and WCAG 2.0 accessibility compliance, and the Philippines has remained off the USTR Special 301 watch list for 13 consecutive years.

Name

Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines

Legal name

Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines

Website

https://ipophil.gov.ph

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is the national government agency that registers and protects intellectual property rights in the Philippines, serving inventors, MSMEs, artists, and brand owners through electronic filing platforms, a nationwide ITSO partner network of 77-100 institutions, and international patent prosecution agreements with JPO, USPTO, KIPO, and EPO.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intellectual Property Registration Services

NAICS

Public Administration (92), Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

IP Filing, Annuities & Renewals Administration (BPAHAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Intellectual Property (IP) Law (BPAHAAAF), IP Search, Watch & Competitive Intelligence (BPAHAMAI), IP & Patent Information Publishing (Patent/Litigation Analytics, Prior Art) (MPAJACAK)

Keywords

• Intellectual property registration
• Patent filing services
• Trademark registration
• Copyright protection
• Geographical indications

Headquarters

HQ city

Taguig

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. IP Registration Filing Fees: IPOPHL generates revenue through the collection of official fees for filing and processing patent applications, trademark registrations, utility model registrations, industrial design registrations, copyright deposits, geographical indication registrations, technology transfer agreements, and IP adjudication cases. Fee schedules are publicly published on the IPOPHL website.
2. Government Budget Allocation: As a government agency under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), IPOPHL receives annual national government appropriations for operations, personnel, and program implementation.
3. Professional Services Fees: Fees for patent search and analytics services, patent landscape reports, and commercial patent search requests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

IPOPHL is the sole Philippine government agency providing intellectual property registration and protection services. It administers the registration of patents, utility models, industrial designs, trademarks, copyrights, and geographical indications, and provides IP enforcement, technology transfer services, and alternative dispute resolution. Services are delivered through online e-Services platforms, the main office, IPSOs nationwide, and the ITSO network of 77 partner institutions.

Product overview

IPOPHL operates as a comprehensive government intellectual property office offering a platform-plus-services model. The core offering consists of multiple electronic filing systems (eInventionFile, eUMfile, eIDfile, eTM File, eDocfile for Patents/Trademarks) for online IP registration across patents, utility models, industrial designs, trademarks, and copyrights. Supporting services include the IP Depot marketplace for IP asset commercialization, Patent Search and Analytics, IP Enforcement, Technology Transfer Services, and Geographical Indications registration. The organization also runs support programs including the Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO) network of 77 university-based patent libraries, the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP) for pro bono patent counsel, and the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) for accelerated examination with partner offices (JPO, USPTO, KIPO, EPO).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IP Depot: Online IP marketplace for buying, browsing, and marketing registered IP assets or IP assets open for license or sale
• Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO)
• IP Satellite Offices (IPSOs)
• Inventor Assistance Program (IAP)
• Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)
• IP Academy

Products and services

• eInventionFile (Patent Online Filing) Online portal for filing patent applications electronically with IPOPHL. Used by inventors, researchers, and businesses to submit patent applications for inventions in the Philippines.
• eUMfile (Utility Model Online Filing) Online portal for filing utility model applications electronically. Used by inventors seeking shorter-term protection for incremental improvements or new use of known devices.
• eIDfile (Industrial Design Online Filing) Online portal for filing industrial design applications electronically. Used by designers, manufacturers, and creators to protect the visual aesthetic or ornamental design of an article.
• eTM File (Trademark Online Filing) Online portal for filing trademark applications electronically. Used by brand owners, businesses, and entrepreneurs to register and protect their marks in the Philippines.
• eDocfile for Trademarks Electronic document filing system specifically for trademark applications, allowing submission of supporting documents digitally.
• eDocfile for Patents Electronic document filing system for patent applications, allowing digital submission of patent specification documents and supporting materials.
• Madrid eFiling Online international trademark filing system accessed through WIPO's Madrid System, enabling Filipino brand owners to seek trademark protection in multiple Madrid Protocol member countries.
• Copyright Registration and Deposit Service for depositing copies of literary and artistic works with IPOPHL and obtaining a certificate of registration. Used by artists, authors, musicians, filmmakers, and other copyright holders. 6,552 copyright filings were recorded in 2025.
• Patent Search and Analytics Commercial patent search services and patent landscape reports for inventors, researchers, and businesses conducting prior art searches, freedom-to-operate analysis, and competitive intelligence.
• IP Depot Online Marketplace Free digital marketplace platform where IP creators can post and promote their IP assets for licensing or sale, connecting IP creators with IP users and commercializers. Includes international partner promotion through Taiwan Smart i-EXPO and Danish Patent and Trademark Office IP Marketplace.
• Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) Network Network of 77 partner institutions (universities and R&D centers) equipped with in-house patent libraries and trained to provide patent search, patent drafting, and IP management services to local inventors, researchers, and MSMEs.
• Inventor Assistance Program (IAP) Free legal advice and pro bono patent attorney matching for eligible inventors earning P500,000 or less per annum and micro/small businesses with assets below P15,000,000. Operated together with WIPO and the World Economic Forum.
• Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Work-sharing initiative enabling accelerated patent examination at IPOPHL based on patentable or allowable claims determined by partner offices (JPO, USPTO, KIPO, EPO). Enables faster, higher-quality patent rights acquisition for Filipino inventors internationally.
• IP Enforcement Services Services for reporting IP violations and upholding IP rights. Includes alternative dispute resolution (mediation and adjudication), online piracy prevention through the E-Commerce MOU, and notice-and-takedown procedures with online platforms.
• Technology Transfer Services Services for technology transfer registration including preliminary review requests, certificate of compliance for technology transfer arrangements, exemption applications, and trademark license agreement recordal. Used by universities, R&D institutions, and businesses commercializing IP.
• Geographical Indications Registration Registration process for geographical indications protecting origin-linked products such as Guimaras Mango and Bohol Ubi Kinampay. Over 30 potential GIs have been identified. Includes GI Notice of Publication and registered GI listings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Copyright filings reached record 6,552 in 2025, nearly 75% higher than in 2022
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered significant, core and minor.

• Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP)significantGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 April 2024Two MOUs signed: (1) PHAP joins the Philippine E-Commerce MOU for anti-counterfeiting in online platforms, expanding the MOU's membership to 37; (2) MOU for collaboration on navigating the IP system to enable healthcare innovation and access to medicines, including policy dialogue on IP Code amendments and the Pharmaceutical Innovation Bill.
• European Patent Office (EPO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Bilateral PPH agreement for accelerated examination based on EPO work products including Written Opinions and International Search Authority reports. Extended indefinitely.
• Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Bilateral PPH agreement for accelerated patent examination based on KIPO examination results. Extended indefinitely.
• United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Bilateral PPH agreement allowing accelerated patent examination at IPOPHL based on USPTO work products. Extended indefinitely.
• Japan Patent Office (JPO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) agreement enabling Filipino inventors to request accelerated patent examination at IPOPHL based on patentable/allowable claims determined by the JPO. Extended indefinitely.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010WIPO cooperation agreement launched the ITSO franchise in 2010, establishing Innovation and Technology Support Offices (patent libraries) within Philippine universities and institutions. WIPO also partners on the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP) with WIPO and World Economic Forum, WIPO Summer School, IP Management Clinic, and various IP development initiatives.
• ASEAN IP OfficescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPOPHL collaborates with all 10 ASEAN IP Offices (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines) through the ASEAN IP Register, ASEAN Patent Cooperation (ASPEC), and joint forums including the ASEAN Regional GI Forum organized with EUIPO's SCOPE IPR Project.
• Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)significantGTM or Marketing PartnerIPOPHL-PCCI partnership to promote world-renowned PH brands and bring IP awareness to grassroots level MSMEs. Collaborated on the Alfredo M. Yao IP Awards.
• E-Commerce MOU Partners (Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop, Zalora)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Philippine E-Commerce MOU, established in 2021, enables collaboration between major online platforms and brand owners to prevent and take down online IP infringing activities through notice and takedown procedures. Now in its fifth year with 37 members including PHAP.
• European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerEUIPO collaborated with IPOPHL through the SCOPE IPR Project to organize the ASEAN Regional Geographical Indications Forum, promoting stronger GI protection for rural development across ASEAN.
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOST-TAPI provides full assistance packages covering patent drafting and financial assistance in filing for eligible inventors. IPOPHL connects inventors to TAPI through the Inventor Assistance Program.
• DOST - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOST-PCHRD funded and monitored the development of BIOTEK-M Dengue Aqua Kit, which won gold at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions.
• Japan Patent Office (JPO) - IP Rights Training CourseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPOPHL collaborates with JPO for IP Rights Training Courses, with ITSO personnel as priority nominees for international learning opportunities offered by partner agencies.
• Taiwan Smart i-EXPO (TWTMe.com)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIP Depot partner for showcasing Filipino IP assets internationally, connecting IP creators with potential buyers/licensees in Taiwan and beyond.
• Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DPTO) IP MarketplaceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIP Depot international partner for promoting Filipino IP assets through the Danish Patent and Trademark Office's IP marketplace.
• Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAIPO is a recognized ITSO that assisted Pili Seal and Make-roscope inventors with patent claim drafting and IP registration. It helped inventors achieve fast patent approvals (1.5 years for Pili Seal) through precise patent application preparation.
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTI Secretary lauded the IPOPHL-PHAP partnership. DTI and IPOPHL jointly launched the Creative Ecosystem National Diagnostic Report with WIPO and PSA. DTI-IPSOs house IP satellite offices in DTI regional offices nationwide.

Scale indicators12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) Thailand: DIP Thailand is Thailand's national IP office, an ASEAN IP Register co-operating partner with comparable registration, GI, and Madrid Protocol functions relevant to IPOPHL's regional positioning.
• Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO): MyIPO is Malaysia's national IP office operating in the same ASEAN IP ecosystem, with comparable mandate for patents, trademarks, and GIs, and co-operation through ASPEC and ASEAN IP Register platforms.

Direct peers

• Japan Patent Office (JPO): JPO is Japan's national IP office and the oldest IPOPHL PPH partner (2012), sharing patent prosecution work to accelerate examination. The two agencies co-operate on IT training for ITSO personnel and on PPH-based work-sharing.
• Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO): KIPO is South Korea's national IP office and a bilateral PPH counterpart to IPOPHL (since 2015), sharing patent examination work products and best practices for IP office digitalisation.
• United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): USPTO is the U.S. national IP office and a direct functional peer to IPOPHL — both deliver IP registration, examination, and PPH work-sharing services. USPTO and IPOPHL also maintain a bilateral PPH agreement (signed 2013).
• European Patent Office (EPO): EPO grants European patents through a regional patent office model analogous to IPOPHL's national office mandate. EPO and IPOPHL are bilateral PPH partners and co-operate on patent search and examination work products.
• Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS): IPOS is Singapore's national IP registration office — a regional peer that competes with IPOPHL for ASEAN IP filings while also co-operating within the ASEAN IP Register and ASPEC regional frameworks.
• IP Australia: IP Australia is Australia's national IP office providing analogous examination, registration, and Madrid/PCT services. Both offices participate in Patent Prosecution Highway work-sharing networks that accelerate cross-border filings.

Broad incumbents

• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): WIPO is the UN agency coordinating global IP policy and operates the PCT, Madrid, and Hague international registration systems that flow through IPOPHL. WIPO also co-operates with IPOPHL on the ITSO franchise, IAP, and WIPO-IPOPHL Summer School.

Others

• Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI): DTI is IPOPHL's parent/oversight department, hosting IPOPHL's IPSO satellite offices across DTI regional offices nationwide and co-launching the Creative Ecosystem National Diagnostic Report with WIPO and PSA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IPOPHL
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheIPOPHL
• Facebookfacebook.com/IPOPHL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ipophl
• Instagraminstagram.com/ipophl

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines