The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) recently said that intellectual property filings from Philippine universities, colleges, and research institutions have reached a new record high in 2025, as IP filings with its Innovation and Technology Support Offices (ITSOs) surged 43.7 percent to 3,242, which surpasses the previous record of 2,257 in 2024.
ITSOs comprise 103 partner higher education and research development institutions.
They recorded 506 patent applications, up 15.3 percent and accounting for about half of the 999 submissions. Utility model filings reached 858 applications, representing 47,7 percent of the 1,800 resident filings in that category. Industrial design applications also climbed 31.2 percent to 454, or 28.8 percent of total resident filings.
Nathaniel Arevalo, acting director general of IPOPHL, said the turnout reflects the growing impact of technology transfer and IP commercialization within the agency’s flagship academe partnership program.
“It highlights how research and innovation not only contributes to knowledge and societal benefits, but also generates tangible economic value for institutions and stakeholders involved,” he said.
The ITSO program is a flagship initiative to strengthen research commercialization and improve access to patent information and IP services within academic institutions. It is part of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Technology and Innovation Support Center network.
IPOPHL noted that WIPO had recognized Southeast Asia for establishing a “world-first, formally established mechanism” for these centers, which the organizations deems crucial to creating value from IP.
The growth in technology transfer and the commercialization of intellectual property is a welcome development for Filipinos and innovators who have faced difficulties when it comes to IP in the past. With so much potential and value that can be generated from IP that is properly protected and maximized, the Philippines has a lot to gain from both the creation of IP, and getting maximum value from it. Programs like ITSO are a good start and are hopefully made sustainable by being given the necessary support from the government, the private sector, academics, and a society that encourages and protects innovation.*
