The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) through its Cooperative Project Development and Assistance Division (CPDAD) and in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) conducted a Seminar on Philippine Trademarks for Cooperatives last October 28, 2024. It aims to build awareness and provide relevant information to cooperatives on the importance and advantages of trademarks as an intellectual protection for their products and services. This is with the end view of enhancing their competitiveness, innovations and expanding their market both in domestic and international.
Speakers from the IPOPHIL thoroughly discussed the topic of Trademarks. From the Bureau of Trademarks, Atty. Irma Vera B. Morcillo and Ms. Marie Marnette E. Villamor discussed the Trademarks, Incentives and Related Concerns for Cooperatives. On the other hand, Atty Elojra Carmiel D. Javier from the Bureau of Legal Affairs discussed the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program on Trademarks.
The participants were enlightened on the purpose of Trademarks and how this will be registered. They were also guided on the process in case of opposition to the application for trademark registration or its cancellation through mediation and conciliation, adjudication, or alternative dispute resolution.
The seminar was attended physically by cooperatives and technical personnel from NCR, Region III, Region IV-A, while others attended via Zoom online platform.
This event is an offshoot of the CDA and IPOPHL Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed in 2023 to strengthen the protection of the intellectual property rights of Cooperatives. – Eileen Doroja
