THE Intellectual Property Office (IPO) installed a Help Desk at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Pangasinan Provincial Office in Dagupan City last week.

DTI-Pangasinan provincial director Natalia Dalaten said the IPO help desk will assist micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who wish to register for trademarks, copyrights and patents to protect their business against imitations or plagiarism.

Dalaten said IP Registration is essential for MSMEs to prevent others from adopting, copying a label including logos.

She cited the problems and current legal battle over rights for the use of Eat Bulaga! a famous noontime show in the country. TV host Joey de Leon coined the show’s catchy title but did not register Eat Bulaga with IPO. However, TAPE Inc., the producer of  longest-running noontime show registered the Eat Bulaga! trademark and its logo under the registration they acquired on June 14, 2023 and therefore, claims  title as its property.

However, Dalaten clarified that the IPO officer will not be available every day but the schedule of the IPO helpline desk will be posted regularly at the DTI Pangasinan’s official Facebook page.

To avail of the services of the IPO helpline desk, applicants must bring the requirements, i.e., accomplished forms, sample logos in printed and soft copy format, and details about their designs.

With the DTI assistance, MSMEs will only pay PHP 1,000 for IP registration.

Application forms are available at the DTI-Pangasinan Provincial Office located on the 2nd floor of Star Building in Arellano Street, Dagupan City from Mondays to Fridays, except holidays, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Dalaten said there were only seven applications from Pangasinan MSMEs submitted this year. (Ahikam Pasion)

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