📘 What Are Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)?
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are the legal protections granted to creations of the mind, such as
inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce.
These rights give creators and innovators exclusive control over the use, distribution, and profit from
their intellectual creations for a certain period of time.
> In short: Intellectual property is like owning an idea or creative work, and IPR ensures no one can use it
without your permission.
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🧠 Why Are IPR Important?
1. Encourages creativity and innovation – When people know they can benefit from their ideas, they are
more motivated to create.
2. Protects investments – Companies that spend time and money developing new products are
protected from copycats.
3. Boosts the economy – Intellectual property contributes to trade, jobs, and technological
advancement.
4. Gives creators recognition and income – Artists, inventors, and writers earn from their work.
5. Promotes fair competition – Prevents illegal copying or misuse of a brand, product, or invention.
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🧩 Types of Intellectual Property Rights (with Examples)
1. Copyright
Protects: Literary, musical, and artistic works (books, songs, films, computer software, etc.)
Owner's Rights: Reproduce, distribute, perform, display, or license the work.
Duration: Lifetime of the creator + 50 years (in the Philippines); longer in some countries.
Examples:
A novelist owns the copyright to their book.
A musician owns the copyright to their original song.
2. Patent
Protects: New inventions or technological processes.
Owner's Rights: Exclusive right to make, use, sell, or license the invention.
Duration: 20 years (Philippines and internationally).
Requirements:
Must be new (novel)
Must involve an inventive step
Must be industrially applicable
Examples:
A new type of engine
A formula for a new medicine
A unique method of water purification
3. Trademark
Protects: Words, phrases, logos, or symbols that identify a brand or product.
Owner's Rights: Exclusive use of the mark in commerce; prevents confusion or imitation.
Duration: Renewable every 10 years.
Examples:
Coca-Cola’s logo
Nike's swoosh
Jollibee's bee character
4. Trade Secrets
Protects: Confidential business information that provides a competitive edge.
Duration: As long as the information remains secret.
Examples:
Coca-Cola’s recipe
A software company’s algorithm
Manufacturing processes or formulas
5. Industrial Design
Protects: Aesthetic or ornamental aspect of a product (not its function).
Owner's Rights: Exclusive use and right to reproduce the design.
Duration: 5 years, renewable up to 15 years.
Examples:
The shape of a perfume bottle
The design of a mobile phone case
A unique pattern on clothing
6. Geographical Indications (GI)
Protects: Products that come from a specific location and have qualities or reputation linked to that
place.
Examples:
"Baguio strawberries"
"Batangas Barako coffee"
"Champagne" from France
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⚖️Intellectual Property Law in the Philippines
Governing Body:
Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)
Main Law:
Republic Act No. 8293 – Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (1997)
This law consolidates all forms of intellectual property into one comprehensive framework.
It details how creators can register their works and how infringement is penalized.
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🚨 What Is Infringement?
IP Infringement happens when someone uses, copies, sells, or distributes someone else's intellectual
property without permission.
Examples of Infringement:
Plagiarizing a book or article
Selling pirated movies or software
Copying a patented invention and selling it
Using another company’s logo to mislead buyers
Penalties:
Fines (can go up to hundreds of thousands of pesos)
Imprisonment
Seizure or destruction of infringing goods
Civil lawsuits and damages
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🌍 Global Protection of IP
Because creativity and commerce go beyond borders, international treaties exist to protect IPR
worldwide:
WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) – Oversees international IP standards.
TRIPS Agreement (WTO) – Sets minimum standards for IPR among member countries.
Berne Convention – Protects copyrights internationally.
Paris Convention – Covers patents and trademarks across borders.
The Philippines is a member of these treaties.
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How IPR Affects You (as a Student, Creator, or Entrepreneur)
If you're a student: Avoid plagiarism, respect copyright when using books, videos, or images.
If you're an artist or writer: Register your works so you can earn from them and stop others from
copying.
If you're a scientist or inventor: Apply for a patent to protect and commercialize your invention.
If you're a business owner: Trademark your brand to protect it from imitators.
If you're a digital content creator: Understand how your videos, blogs, and music can be protected and
monetized.
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🧠 Summary Table
Type What It Protects Duration Example
Copyright Artistic & literary works Lifetime + 50 years Books, songs, software
Patent New inventions 20 years New machine, drug
Trademark Brand identity 10 years (renewable) Logos, slogans
Trade Secret Confidential business info As long as kept secret Secret recipes, codes
Industrial Design Product appearance 5 years (renewable) Fashion design, packaging
Geographical Indication Place-based products Varies Baguio strawberries
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Final Thoughts
> “Without protection for intellectual property, creativity dies.”
In the 21st century, ideas are just as valuable as physical products. Intellectual property rights protect
that value. As technology advances, and more people create content online or develop unique products
and inventions, understanding IPR becomes more essential than ever.
By respecting IPR:
We promote ethical use of content.
We support local and global creators.
We build a fair and innovative society.
