It was recently announced that representatives of the USPTO and the Republic of the Philippines recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding several intellectual property issues. This MOU, signed by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property, Jon Dudas, and the Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of the Philippines, Adrian Cristobal, is to “contribute to enhancing administration of intellectual property rights for IP users in both the Philippines and the United States,” according to Dudas. According to the USPTO press release (link below), this MOU contains terms for both offices to cooperate on several IP issues, including the USPTO’s “assistance on the development of patent and trademark examination manuals and automated patent and trademark examination tools, as well as provide assistance with modernization projects that the two sides identify.” Additional information exchange between the two offices regarding national laws and patent application examination procedures shall also occur based on the MOU.

USPTO Press Release: LINK
Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines Website: LINK
Philippine Patent Online Search System (PhilPAT) Website: LINK
Philippine Patent Rules & Regulations on Inventions: LINK