The Philippines joined 193 member- states under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in adopting the Riyadh Design Law Treaty which streamlines, standardizes and updates the rules on design protection.
“Together with WIPO member-states, the Philippines shares the common goal that designers should be able to protect their work more easily and be given the bigger opportunity to scale up globally,” said Rowel Barba, IPOPHL director-general.
The adoption ended around 20 years of multilateral negotiations, IPOPHL said.
The Treaty paves the way for a predictable and cost-efficient design application process by setting limits on application requirements. It also provides applicants flexibility by allowing multiple designs per filing and the representation of designs in various formats (drawings, photographs or, if allowed, video).
The DLT also set out minimal filing date requirements; a 12-month grace period for disclosures; a six-month option to keep their designs unpublished from the filing date; relief for missed deadlines; simplified renewal procedures; and promotion of e-filings and digital process—all crucial in reducing application pain points that lead to the loss of rights.
“The goals of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty complement current efforts and long-term plans of the current administration in promoting and developing creative and innovative industries. This is especially important for developing and middle-income countries like ours, as it would aid us in our aspiration to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. as well as our very own Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,” Barba said.
This is the second time in a year that WIPO member states delivered a new multilateral treaty. In May, the world achieved consensus in adopting the WIPO Treaty on IP, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.
Meanwhile, the National Committee on IP Rights (NCIPR) reported P500 million worth of counterfeit products in popular malls in Binondo, Manila.
NCIPR, IPOPHL and the Bureau of Customs will present to the public Tuesday samples of the seized goods majority of which are bags, apparel and perfume, IPOPHL said in a statement on Monday. IPOPHL said the goods were seized last November 15 at the 7th floor of 168 mall and 5th, 6th and 7th floors of 999 mall.
