The Philippines has become the first country in Asean to pilot a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) program aimed at helping local businesses protect their trademarks and prepare their brands for expansion into international markets.
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and WIPO, through its Singapore Office, launched the “Growth Connect: International Brand Readiness Program” in Manila last month, bringing together export-oriented Philippine enterprises.
The initiative is the first implementation of Growth Connect anywhere in the world, with the Philippines selected as the pilot country and IPOPHL serving as its main partner.
Growth Connect is part of WIPO Singapore’s Future Growth Program, which seeks to help businesses use intellectual property (IP) assets to support investment, job creation, and business expansion.
The program targets Philippine enterprises that are already preparing to enter overseas markets, providing technical assistance on international trademark registration, brand protection, and intellectual property management.
Unlike one-time training activities, Growth Connect follows a cohort-based approach, with participating businesses receiving advisory support and assistance with trademark filings beyond the initial sessions.
IPOPHL director general Teodoro Pascua said the Philippine pilot could eventually serve as a model for similar initiatives in other Asean countries.
“What we do in this room is meant to become the model for helping Philippine enterprises prepare their brands for the world — and one that we hope can eventually serve as a blueprint for other markets across Asean,” Pascua said.
“To be entrusted with piloting Growth Connect is both a responsibility and an opportunity to show what can happen when intellectual property is placed at the heart of an enterprise’s global growth strategy.”
PH pilots WIPO program to help local brands expand overseas
The Philippines has become the first country in Asean to pilot a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) program aimed at helping local businesses protect their trademarks and prepare their brands for expansion into international markets.
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and WIPO, through its Singapore Office, launched the “Growth Connect: International Brand Readiness Program” in Manila last month, bringing together export-oriented Philippine enterprises.
The initiative is the first implementation of Growth Connect anywhere in the world, with the Philippines selected as the pilot country and IPOPHL serving as its main partner.
Growth Connect is part of WIPO Singapore’s Future Growth Program, which seeks to help businesses use intellectual property (IP) assets to support investment, job creation, and business expansion.
The program targets Philippine enterprises that are already preparing to enter overseas markets, providing technical assistance on international trademark registration, brand protection, and intellectual property management.
Unlike one-time training activities, Growth Connect follows a cohort-based approach, with participating businesses receiving advisory support and assistance with trademark filings beyond the initial sessions.
IPOPHL director general Teodoro Pascua said the Philippine pilot could eventually serve as a model for similar initiatives in other Asean countries.
“What we do in this room is meant to become the model for helping Philippine enterprises prepare their brands for the world — and one that we hope can eventually serve as a blueprint for other markets across Asean,” Pascua said.
“To be entrusted with piloting Growth Connect is both a responsibility and an opportunity to show what can happen when intellectual property is placed at the heart of an enterprise’s global growth strategy.”
WIPO Singapore director Thitapha Wattanapruttipaisan said the program is intended to help businesses recognize trademarks and other intellectual property rights as commercial assets rather than merely legal protections.
“We are here to help entrepreneurs protect their marks and their brands, and not only to protect them, but to create value for your brand and your business,” Thitapha said. “Your IP, your intangible asset, is your financial asset.”
The technical sessions covered trademark ownership and international registration under the Madrid Protocol, an international system that allows businesses to seek trademark protection in multiple jurisdictions through a centralized application process.
Participants were also introduced to WIPO’s eMadrid and Madrid Monitor tools, which are used to manage international trademark applications and monitor their status.
The Philippines joined the Madrid Protocol in 2012, allowing Filipino applicants to seek trademark protection in more than 100 territories through a single application filed through IPOPHL.
The program was initially presented to Philippine brands that already have registered trademarks overseas. Participating businesses also underwent assessments of their international expansion plans.
IPOPHL said the initiative would be expanded to additional partners and beneficiaries in 2028.
The program also supports Republic Act No. 11981, or the Tatak Pinoy Act, which seeks to improve the competitiveness of Philippine products and services in domestic and international markets.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by IPOPHL and WIPO to encourage Filipino enterprises to use intellectual property protection as part of their international business strategies.
said the program is intended to help businesses recognize trademarks and other intellectual property rights as commercial assets rather than merely legal protections.
“We are here to help entrepreneurs protect their marks and their brands, and not only to protect them, but to create value for your brand and your business,” Thitapha said. “Your IP, your intangible asset, is your financial asset.”
The technical sessions covered trademark ownership and international registration under the Madrid Protocol, an international system that allows businesses to seek trademark protection in multiple jurisdictions through a centralized application process.
Participants were also introduced to WIPO’s eMadrid and Madrid Monitor tools, which are used to manage international trademark applications and monitor their status.
The Philippines joined the Madrid Protocol in 2012, allowing Filipino applicants to seek trademark protection in more than 100 territories through a single application filed through IPOPHL.
The program was initially presented to Philippine brands that already have registered trademarks overseas. Participating businesses also underwent assessments of their international expansion plans.
IPOPHL said the initiative would be expanded to additional partners and beneficiaries in 2028.
The program also supports Republic Act No. 11981, or the Tatak Pinoy Act, which seeks to improve the competitiveness of Philippine products and services in domestic and international markets.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by IPOPHL and WIPO to encourage Filipino enterprises to use intellectual property protection as part of their international business strategies.
