A Comprehensive Guide to Industrial Design Registration in the Philippines

Industrial Design Registration in the Philippines: Requirements, Fee Reductions, and Key Procedures

The Philippines offers a streamlined and accessible framework for industrial design protection, managed by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). Applicants - especially small entities and young innovators - can benefit from generous fee reductions and a fast-track registration system. Below is a comprehensive overview of the requirements, procedures, and benefits for industrial design applications in the Philippines.

Authority: 

• Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), www.ipophil.gov.ph

Terms of Protection:

• Valid for 5 years from the filing date, renewable every 5 years up to a maximum of 15 years.

Filing Deadline:

• Applications claiming priority must be filed within 6 months from the earliest priority date.

Required Documents:

• Representations / Pictures
• Brief description
• Power of Attorney
• Small Entity Declaration (if any)
• Certified copy of Priority documentnslation (DAS unavailable)
• Ownership statement/Employment Statement/Priority assignment (notarized and legalized)

Process & Procedure: 

• IPOPHL only conducts formality examination for design application.
• IPOPHL accepts partial industrial design applications. The subject matter of the partial design must be clearly described in the request form. The title of the partial design must include the title of the complete design. The portion of the design for which protection is claimed should be shown in solid lines, while the environment or surrounding areas should be shown in broken or dashed lines, as illustrated below.

• To achieve the goal of issuing the certificate of registration within two months from the filing date, IPOPHL will publish the industrial design within five days of filing.
• For published industrial designs, if no opposition is filed within the 1-month publication period, IPOPHL shall grant the registration and issue the certificate at least 2 weeks after the expiration of the publication period.
• Applicants may also request deferred publication of an industrial design application. If the request for deferred publication is made simultaneously with the new filing, the publication may be deferred for up to 30 months from the filing or priority date. If the request for deferred publication is made after the new application has been filed, the permitted deferral period shall be the remaining portion of the allowed 30-month deferred publication period. The applicant may determine the exact date of publication of the application, provided that it does not exceed 30 months.

Grace Period for Novelty:

• A 6-month grace period is available before the filing or priority date for disclosures by the applicant.

Grant and Renewal Maintenance Fee:

• For industrial designs, renewal fees must be paid within 12 months before the expiry of the current term. If missed, payment can still be made during a 6-month grace period, subject to a surcharge. 

Granting Time:

• Approximately 2 months from filing.

Conclusion

The Philippines’ industrial design system emphasizes accessibility, inclusiveness, and speed. By combining efficient examination, flexible publication options, and financial incentives for small entities and young creators, IPOPHL continues to foster innovation and strengthen IP protection across the country. Applicants benefit not only from lower costs but also from professional technical support that encourages the growth of a vibrant design ecosystem.