The Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) of the Laguna State Polytechnic University-Los Baños Campus (LSPU-LBC) facilitated a three-day re-echo seminar on IP awareness and patent drafting funded through the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Program, Project 1G: Enhancing the IP-TBM in LSPU, May 13-15.

The said activity was held at the LSPU-LBC Board Room in coordination with the Center for Innovation and Emerging Technologies (CIET), Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO), and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development LSPU Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (DOST-PCAARRD-LSPU-ATBI).

It aimed to ensure that LSPU faculty and researchers have a comprehensive understanding of the functions and roles of CIET, ITSO, IP-TBM, and ATBI; strengthen collaboration and coordination among stakeholders for seamless IP management and technology transfer initiatives of LSPU; enhance awareness and understanding of IP rights and process; and equip participants with skills in patent drafting and application to effectively protect and commercialize their innovations.

Atty. Rushid Jay S. Sancon, Campus Director of LSPU-LBC, reiterated the importance of equipping participants with skills necessary for patent drafting to protect intellectual property (IP) effectively.

IP ensures that inventors and owners receive legal recognition and rights for their technologies as they are utilized.

Dr. Robert C. Agatep, Vice President for Research Development and Extension (VPRDE), reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting endeavors related to intellectual property protection, patent drafting and application, commercialization, and incubation. He further challenged faculty and researchers to develop technologies with high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Innovation Readiness Level (IRL), emphasizing the importance of ensuring market potential and impactful contributions to communities.

“We want our utility models to be at least TRL 4 (technology validated in the laboratory). We want to make sure that the technologies that we develop ay may mataas na market potential… Universities are creators of new knowledge and technologies kaya dapat ito ay makarating sa mga gagamit,” Dr. Agatep stressed.  

During the seminar, various experts provided insights and guidance. Dr. Juliet Caramonte, CIET Director of the LSPU System, outlined the functions of CIET in IP management, while Dr. Victoria E. Tamban, LSPU-LBC ITSO Manager, discussed the fundamentals of intellectual property as stipulated in Republic Act 10055, also known as the Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009. Finally, Ms. Mary Ann L. Barile, Manager of DOST-PCAARRD-LSPU ATBI, shared the business incubation process and encouraged the participants to elevate the quality of technologies being developed, ensuring their positive impact on the communities served by LSPU.

“Itaas natin ‘yong quality ng technology natin… When we do something, we must think ano bang magagawa nito sa community,” Ms. Barile said. 

During the second day, patent agent Ms. Wellisa M. Cammayo, RND, MSc, briefed the participants on how to use available websites for prior art search.

A workshop on patent drafting was also facilitated by Dr. Tamban to gauge participants’ learning. On the last day, the participants presented their respective patent draft outputs and were guided how to navigate the IPOPHL website for online filing.

LSPU-LBC college coordinators, IP-TBM, ITSO, and ATBI chairpersons participated in the said activity. The seminar was organized through the initiative of the LSPU-LBC IP-TBM Project Leader Mr. Charlie O. Siarot, MSc.

First introduced at the LSPU-Siniloan Campus (LSPU-SC), this re-echo seminar is a university-wide activity that will be conducted among the regular campuses of LSPU. The same activity is set to be conducted at the LSPU-San Pablo City Campus (LSPU-SPCC) and LSPU-Sta. Cruz Campus (LSPU-SCC) the following weeks. ###