Intellectual property (IP) filings in the Philippines reached a record 53,231 in 2025, up 2% from 52,257 the previous year, driven by growth in patents, utility models, and industrial designs, according to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).
Patent applications rose 8.3% year on year to 4,486, while utility model filings increased 20.6% to 1,918 and industrial design applications jumped 30.2% to 2,576, indicating heightened activity in inventions, practical solutions, and product design.
“The new record in IP filings reflects a growing recognition of IP protection as a key strategy for competitiveness in a fast-paced digital economy,” said IPOPHL acting director general Nathaniel S. Arevalo.
“The sustained rise in applications, particularly in innovation-driven categories, points to accelerating innovation and a stronger appreciation of the need to protect IP assets,” he said.
IPOPHL attributed the increase to a strengthening innovation ecosystem, supported by initiatives such as its Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) program, which helps universities and research institutions convert research into protected, market-ready outputs.
The ITSO network, now with 103 members, posted higher filings and increased commercialization activity in 2025.
Patent filings remained dominated by non-residents at 3,479, though resident applications grew faster at 25.1% to 1,007. Pharmaceuticals led patent filings with 794 applications, followed by digital communication (433) and biotechnology (170).
Utility model filings were largely domestic, with resident applications reaching 1,848, up 20.4%. Food chemistry accounted for more than half of filings at 243, followed by basic materials chemistry and electrical machinery.
Industrial design filings were also driven by residents, which rose 46.4% to 1,587. Top categories included transport or hoisting equipment, packages and containers, and recording and communication equipment.
Trademark applications, which made up the bulk of filings, reached 44,308 in 2025, slightly down 0.5% from the previous year. Resident filings declined 0.8% to 26,229, while non-resident filings slipped 0.2% to 18,079.
Despite the dip, IPOPHL said trademark activity remained resilient amid a more cautious business environment, as the economy grew slower than expected at 4.4% in 2025.
Pharmaceuticals led trademark filings, followed by advertising and business management services, and scientific and technological apparatus.
Meanwhile, copyright deposits increased 2.8% to 6,736, driven by growing awareness of registration services. Most filings were for written works, including books and digital publications, followed by software and musical compositions.
“People are learning to better protect, manage and extract value from their IP assets. Enhanced IP capabilities are enabling this shift from creation to commercialization, ultimately creating jobs, growing enterprises and driving higher-value economic activity,” Arevalo added.
