The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), through its recently concluded Intellectual Property Management Clinic (IPMC), supported several micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in making better use of intellectual property (IP) rights to enhance their competitiveness and accelerate business growth.
The four-month IPMC, held jointly with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the first in the Philippines, provided the 22 participating MSMEs one-on-one mentoring and strategic guidance tailored to their specific business needs and integrating IP into their business operations, decision-making, and long-term growth plans.
At the graduation ceremony held on Monday, IPOPHL Director General (DG) Teodoro C. Pascua lauded the entrepreneurs, highlighting their success as a testament to their “determination to build stronger, more innovative and more competitive businesses.”
“The value of this credit extends far beyond the classroom; by strategically protecting, managing, commercializing and enforcing your IP, you can strengthen your competitive advantage, unlock new market opportunities, attract partnerships and investments and create lasting value for your enterprises,” DG Pascua continued.
Guy Pessach, Director of WIPO’s IP for Business Division, also commended the graduates, emphasizing that businesses “must navigate the IP toolbox to succeed locally as well as beyond domestic markets.”
A key lesson imparted to the participants is that many businesses possess hidden IP assets that can be uncovered through IP audits and protected through registration. More importantly, however, the program emphasized the need for enterprises to shift their mindset and view IP not simply as something to register, but as a strategic asset that can generate value, strengthen market position and fuel business growth—hallmarks of an IP-forward enterprise.
Participants also shared how the program had transformed their business models, particularly in how they identify, manage and leverage IP toward business growth.
“We have really innovative products and systems, but we didn’t have IP strategies for them. And we were uncertain which assets we should prioritize for protection and commercialization,” shared Maggerose V. Carado, founder and creative director of clothing brand Modern Ilongga.
Carado testified that the clinic helped her business prioritize designs and innovations for protection and develop a clear commercialization strategy.
Another participant, Ace Edward A. Ferrano of Ayana’s Siling Kinamayo, shared that the program had provided them with a structured framework for understanding IP as a strategic business asset.
“As our business matured, we recognized that a significant portion of our enterprise value was embedded in intangible assets. Through mentoring sessions, business diagnostics, and practical discussions, we gained valuable insights into intellectual asset management, commercialization readiness, innovation protection, and competitive positioning,” Ferrano said.
Since its inception in 2022, the IPMC has been implemented by WIPO across various countries worldwide. # # # (Rawl Maliwat, Communications & Marketing Writer).
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