TAGUIG - The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) will be awarding the much-coveted Gawad Yamang Isip (GYI) Awards this year to Filipinos and homegrown brands and technologies whose intellectual property (IP) have made a positive impact on people, the planet and peace, according to the official of IPOPHL.
The GYI is the most prestigious Philippine award on innovation, creativity and intellectual property. This year’s awards follow the theme set by the World IP Organization (WIPO) for World IP Day which focuses on “IP and SDGS: Building our common future with innovation and creativity.” 

“There are so many Philippine artists, inventors and homegrown brands that are helping create a sustainable future through one IP at a time. It was indeed a challenge to handpick this year’s winners but it was a difficult decision that the Executive Committee had to make. And we’re very pleased with the list because the GYI 2024 awardees really proved they deserve this and it’s time that more people be made aware about their contributions to the Philippines and to the SDGs,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said. 

For this year, the GYI has five categories: Patents, Industrial Design, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Trademarks. 
Aside from the GYI, IPOPHL will also be presenting WIPO’s special awards to last year’s winners of IPOPHL’s Socially Relevant Technology Contest, which aims to highlight sustainable technological solutions to environmental challenges. 

Another special award to be conferred is the WIPO National Award which recognizes innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses that leverage their IP assets to contribute to the country’s development. 

IPOPHL will also be recognizing the Top Filers whose active protection strategy reminds others to protect their IP rights. The Top IP Agents who have processed the most IP filings as a service to IP rights holders will also be recognized.

The GYI also serves as an opportunity for IPOPHL to show its appreciation to institutional partners, enforcement allies, media friends, people who have supported its programs and other partners who have helped make the GYI and the National IP Month celebration a success. 

“We look forward to having a night with all the GYI awardees and our partners to reflect on our milestones and look to the future with more hope, knowing that we are one in the fight to protect Filipinos’ IP rights and our country’s future,” Barba added. 

The event will be held in Makati City on April 29 as the culminating event to the celebration of National IP Month in April.