ODIONGAN, Romblon (DOST Mimaropa) -- To encourage the Intellectual Property protection of Mimaropa State University and Colleges (SUCs) generated research outputs and facilitate technology transfer activities, DOST-MIMAROPA conducted a Patent Search and Patent Drafting Workshop for faculty researchers and Technology Transfer Officers (TTOs) last June 28- July 2, 2021, via zoom.

The 5-day workshop aims to educate Mimaropa SUCs to effectively protect their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) through the proper preparation of patent specifications and claims. The activity consisted of lectures and hands on activities to include patent search report, invention spotting matrix, drafting of claims, and drafting the whole patent specifications of respective technologies. Experts from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Intellectual Property Management Office of the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College facilitated the training.

In her welcome remarks, DOST-Mimaropa Regional Director Dr. Ma. Josefina P. Abilay emphasized the importance of getting IP protection for R&D outputs or technologies and having them commercialized amid the pandemic. Dr. Abilay shared that locally funded research outputs aim to provide solutions to challenges during unprecedented times. She also expressed her excitement for the filing of Intellectual Property Protection of technologies of faculty-researchers who underwent the Technopreneurship Training Batches 1-3.

For the first the day, participants were introduced with the importance of patent information and patent documents. Experts also discussed patent search strategies and various free patent databases that can be used. It was then followed by invention spotting matrix on the second day and drafting of claims according to the rules and guidelines of patent drafting on the 3rd day.

Drafted claims by the participants were enhanced with the assistance of the resource persons in accordance with the formality requirement of the IPOHL during the fourth day. The last day was highlighted by the walkthrough on online filing to the IPOPHL website. As a culminating activity, one participant was guided by the resource person for the actual online filing of his technology.

A total of 53 participants from six Mimaropa SUCs took part in the said workshop. At the end of the activity, 15 technologies were filed for Patent at the IPOPHL, and eight (8) more technologies are expected to be filed in the coming days.

Participants also expressed their gratitude to DOST-Miimaropa for holding a very relevant and useful activity for faculty-researchers. “The activity was of great help especially to those researchers who have already drawings and specs.” said Engr. Virne Dalisay from Romblon State University.

There were also participants who wished that more related trainings will be conducted. According to Mr. Anastacio Cagabhion III from Western Philippines University, “I hope that more trainings like this would be provided to SUCs to capacitate its faculty/researchers. Thank you!” (PR)