Software developers need stronger IP rights

The country was one of the three developing countries tapped by World Intellectual Property Organization for a bigger project aiming to increase the use of IP tools among software developers.

The Philippines is widely dubbed as the social media capital and the rise of apps like Grab, altogether build the right conditions for mobile apps to thrive and succeed.

The Intellectual Property of Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is seeking to strengthen the implementation of intellectual property rights among software developers following the conclusion of the first IP workshop in mobile apps held in Manila.

According to the IPOPHL, the country was one of the three developing countries tapped by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), along with Kenya and Trinidad and Tobago, for a bigger project aiming to increase the use of IP tools among software developers.

The WIPO led the workshop in Taguig titled “Intellectual Property and Mobile Applications: Business and Legal Issues,” which was attended by about 100 participants from the industry, academe and the government. The workshop sought to help mobile app developers with the business and legal facets of the industry as well as the IP system.

The IPOPHL said that stakeholders in the mobile apps sector has sought for its aid to organize and help grow the industry in line with the growing digital economy.

“As a mobile apps is a multilayered product, nearly every stage in the value chain of its overall production attracts the protection of various IP rights,” IPOPHL said.

Industry representatives have also raised the option of establishing a national group to help one of the WIPO program’s deliverables — to study and determine the size and potential growth of the local mobile apps industry.

“In the Philippines, the lowering cost of data plans, expanding selection of affordable mobile phones, growing coverage of free wifi access, the burgeoning engagement in mobile gaming and social media — the Philippines is widely dubbed as the social media capital — and the rise of super apps like Grab, altogether build the right conditions for mobile apps to thrive and succeed,” the IPOPHL said.

As per IPOPHL’s data, there have been 632 mobile app-related trademarks registered with the agency in the last 10 years until 2018. Of the figure, 58 were small entities or companies, while 574 were big entities categorized as those with asset size of over P100 million.