The government can exploit drug patents if the Secretary of Health finds local demand isn’t being met reasonably.
Can the government use a patent if the demand for a drug is not being met? Read More »
Patent owners can stop unauthorized parties from making, using, selling, or importing their patented products in the Philippines.
What exclusive rights does a patent grant for a product? Read More »
Patent protection boundaries are defined by claims, interpreted using the invention’s descriptions and accompanying technical drawings.
How is the extent of patent protection determined? Read More »
Process patents allow owners to prohibit unauthorized use of the process and the sale of products derived from it.
What rights are conferred when the patent subject matter is a process? Read More »
Patent protection extends to equivalent elements of the claims, preventing infringement through minor, non-substantial changes to an invention.
What is the “doctrine of equivalents” in patent protection? Read More »
Patents are issued in the Republics name, under IPO seal, signed by the Director, and registered with full documentation.
What formal attributes must the issued patent document have? Read More »
A patent lasts twenty years from the filing date of the application.
What is the term of a Philippine patent, and from what date is it computed? Read More »
Annual fees begin four years from publication and are due on each anniversary thereafter.
When do annual fees for maintaining a patent application or patent start to accrue? Read More »
Failure to pay annual fees causes withdrawal or lapse, subject to a six?month grace period with surcharge.
What is the consequence of failure to pay annual fees, and is there any grace period? Read More »
A patent may be surrendered with consent of all recorded right?holders, subject to possible opposition.
May a patentee voluntarily surrender a patent, and what consents are required? Read More »
