November 9, 2016

The Philippine Intellectual Property Office launched an electronic filing system for industrial design on November 2, 2016 called EIDFILE.

Under the system, applicants seeking protection for industrial design can file his application by the use of a computer terminal with latest versions of web browsers. Applicants may file applications for industrial design with any of the satellite offices of the Intellectual Property Office. Any applicant not yet familiar with the system can get assistance in those offices.

An applicant is not required to register to be able to file the application online.  A cover letter is also not needed for his online application.  Once the applicant proceeds with the online filing, he will be guided by the system on how to submit the application.

The system also allows an applicant to attach in the prescribed format the specification and drawings and also, if desired, he may attach the priority document/s with its English translation, Special Power of Attorney, Deed of Assignment, and any other documents that the applicant wishes to provide to support the application.

If the applicant is not domiciled in the Philippines, he cannot file an online application unless he hires a resident agent or an authorized representative in the Philippines and indicate them in the application.  Within 60 days from filing of the application, a Special Power of Attorney must be submitted.

The IPOPHL EIDFILE is accessible to anyone 24/7 and applicant can pay the official fees in any of the authorized banks. The filing date is the date when the full payment was made (either online or over-the-counter). The filing receipt will be received no later than 3 days from the date the application was filed.

Finally, the Intellectual Property Industrial Design Patent Code and the Regulations for industrial design will apply to all applications filed electronically.