MAKATI CITY - The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines
(IP Philippines) commemorates 10 years of the Intellectual Property Code or Republic Act 8293, the law that created the Office, with a series of activities in June. The Office launches the 10th year anniversary logo of the code with the theme "Celebrating Creativity" and a diamond as visual symbol.

Creativity is the focal point in the vision of IP Philippines: Fostering a creative and competitive Philippines that values, nurtures and uses IP as a strategic tool for national development. With its uses in the scientific field (patents) and commercial enterprises (trademarks), and having inspired countless art forms (copyrights), the diamond as a symbol for excellence best represents the Office's anniversary theme.

"June marks the 10th year of the Intellectual Property Code. It was signed into law on June 6, 1997 by then President Fidel V. Ramos. The Code consolidated our laws on patents, trademarks and copyrights. It also created a unified and independent Intellectual Property Office," said Director General of IP Philippines Atty. Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr.

"Praised internationally as among the most advanced IP laws in the world," Cristobal added, "the IP Code was a strategic response to the changing world economy where intangible assets are supplanting physical assets as the most important resource for creating wealth and promoting economic development."

On June 6, the office will inaugurate the IP Research and Training Institute (IPRTI). The institute is envisioned to be the center of IP education and research in the country and in the region.

As the research and training arm of IP Philippines, IPRTI intends to raise the awareness level on intellectual property. Its course offerings are designed for academic and research institutions; business owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises; IP right holders (scientists or inventors, artists) and; IP professionals (private and government lawyers, and officials involved in IP protection and enforcement).

IP Philippines will also present its three-year strategic plan to its various stakeholders in the public and private sectors on June 6. The plan outlines the new vision and mission, and the activities to fulfill the officeÕs objectives.

On June 22, the officeÕs Alab Art Space will open its anniversary exhibition based on theme ÒCelebrating CreativityÓ featuring the works of 15 established visual artists namely, Benjie Cabrera, Noel Cuizon, Antipas Delotavo, Boy Dominguez, Rene de Guzman, Gene de Loyola, Racquel de Loyola, Brenda Fajardo, Emmanuel Garibay, Mark Justiniani, Karen Ocampo-Flores, Iggy Rodriguez, Don Salubayba, Wire Tuazon, and Yco Umadhay.

On June 29, IP Philippines in cooperation with the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) will host a conference for the visual arts to inform participants of their basic IP rights, and how to organize a collection management society for the artists.