Countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have embarked on their first regional cooperation in Intellectual property, specifically in patents, by introducing ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC). There are eight participating IP offices from: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Once a search and examination report is issued by any […]
Publications
Border Enforcement Measures Increase The Protection Of IP Rights In The Philippines
In its attempt to administer the implementation of state policies on the protection, utilization and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in the Philippines, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) convened the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Action Panel (IP-REAP) in 2002. This panel, a joint government and private sector body, was established […]
An Update On The Developments In The Philippines And Thai Pharmaceutical Patent Regimes
Philippines The cost of medicines in the Philippines is among the highest in the world. It was reported that Norvasc, a medicine for hypertension, is sold in the Philippines for USD1 per 5mg tablet; while in India and Pakistan, the same drug is priced at around USD0.14 whereas Plendil, also for hypertension, is priced in […]
The on going battle against counterfeit anti-malaria drugs in South East Asia
In February this year, it was revealed that the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) with the help of scientists and health workers from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Wellcome-Trust University of Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Programme, and the co-operation of Chinese authorities have uncovered a massive counterfeit anti- malaria drug syndicate, based in southern […]
Philippines Officials tackle software piracy
According to the International Property Code of the Philippines, software piracy is a violation and may incur up to nine years imprisonment and a fine of up to 1.5 million pesos (US $35,000). In order to curb this violation, officials from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) recently carried […]
New Initiatives at Philippines IP Office
The Philippines Government recognises Intellectual property as indespensible to the development of domestic and creative activity, facilitating transfer of technology, attracting foreign investments, and ensuring market access for our products. Hence, the government resolves to protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, […]
Parallel Imports and Generic Drugs in the Philippines
The Philippines position on generics and parallel imports in respect of drugs Generics The issue regarding generic drugs and parallel importation of drugs has been brewing for a long time in the Philippines due to the concern over the high costs of drugs in the country. The Generics Act 1988 (which allows generic drugs to […]
Philippines: Affordable Medicines for Filipinos Soon
Finally, after years of vigorous and continuous efforts to resolve the public concerns over costly medicines in the country, the Philippine Senate has approved a bill in January 2007, that will lower the price of medicines by allowing anyone to import patented medicines, which are sold cheaper in other countries. Briefly, parallel importation refers to […]