菲律宾知识产权法典（英文）

REPUBLICACTNO.8293

ANACTPRESCRIBINGTHEINTELLECTUALPROPERTYCODEAND

ESTABLISHINGTHEINTELLECTUALPROPERTYOFFICE,PROVIDINGFORITSPOWERSANDFUNCTIONS,ANDFOROTHERPURPOSES

PARTI

TheIntellectualPropertyOffice

SECTION1.Title.—ThisActshallbeknownasthe"IntellectualPropertyCodeofthePhilippines."

SECTION2.DeclarationofStatePolicy.—TheStaterecognizesthataneffectiveintellectualandindustrialpropertysystemisvitaltothe

developmentofdomesticandcreativeactivity,facilitatestransferof

technology,attractsforeigninvestments,andensuresmarketaccessforourproducts.Itshallprotectandsecuretheexclusiverightsofscientists,

inventors,artistsandothergiftedcitizenstotheirintellectualpropertyandcreations,particularlywhenbeneficialtothepeople,forsuchperiodsas

providedinthisAct.

Theuseofintellectualpropertybearsasocialfunction.Tothisend,theStateshallpromotethediffusionofknowledgeandinformationforthepromotionofnationaldevelopmentandprogressandthecommongood.

ItisalsothepolicyoftheStatetostreamlineadministrativeproceduresof

registeringpatents,trademarksandcopyright,toliberalizetheregistrationonthetransferoftechnology,andtoenhancetheenforcementofintellectualpropertyrightsinthePhilippines.(n)

SECTION3.InternationalConventionsandReciprocity.—Anypersonwhois

anationalorwhoisdomiciledorhasarealandeffectiveindustrial

establishmentinacountrywhichisapartytoanyconvention,treatyor

agreementrelatingtointellectualpropertyrightsortherepressionofunfaircompetition,towhichthePhilippinesisalsoaparty,orextendsreciprocalrightstonationalsofthePhilippinesbylaw,shallbeentitledtobenefitsto

theextentnecessarytogiveeffecttoanyprovisionofsuchconvention,

treatyorreciprocallaw,inadditiontotherightstowhichanyownerofanintellectualpropertyrightisotherwiseentitledbythisAct.(n)

SECTION4.Definitions.—

4.1.Theterm"intellectualpropertyrights"consistsof:

a.CopyrightandRelatedRights;b.TrademarksandServiceMarks;c.GeographicIndications;

d.IndustrialDesigns;e.Patents;

f.Layout-Designs(Topographies)ofIntegratedCircuits;andg.ProtectionofUndisclosedInformation(n,TRIPS).

4.2.Theterm"technologytransferarrangements"referstocontractsor

agreementsinvolvingthetransferofsystematicknowledgeforthe

manufactureofaproduct,theapplicationofaprocess,orrenderingofaserviceincludingmanagementcontracts;andthetransfer,

assignmentorlicensingofallformsofintellectualpropertyrights,includinglicensingofcomputersoftwareexceptcomputersoftwaredevelopedformassmarket.

4.3.Theterm"Office"referstotheIntellectualPropertyOfficecreatedbythisAct.

4.4.Theterm"IPOGazette"referstothegazettepublishedbytheOfficeunderthisAct.(n)

SECTION5.FunctionsoftheIntellectualPropertyOffice(IPO).—

5.1.ToadministerandimplementtheStatepoliciesdeclaredinthisAct,

thereisherebycreatedtheIntellectualPropertyOffice(IPO)whichshallhavethefollowingfunctions:

a.Examineapplicationsforgrantofletterspatentforinventionsandregisterutilitymodelsandindustrialdesigns;

b.Examineapplicationsfortheregistrationofmarks,geographicindication,integratedcircuits;

c.Registertechnologytransferarrangementsandsettledisputes

involvingtechnologytransferpaymentscoveredbytheprovisionsofPartII,ChapterIXonVoluntaryLicensinganddevelopand

implementstrategiestopromoteandfacilitatetechnologytransfer;

d.Promotetheuseofpatentinformationasatoolfortechnologydevelopment;

e.Publishregularlyinitsownpublicationthepatents,marks,utilitymodelsandindustrialdesigns,issuedandapproved,andthe

technologytransferarrangementsregistered;cdasia

f.Administrativelyadjudicatecontestedproceedingsaffectingintellectualpropertyrights;and

g.Coordinatewithothergovernmentagenciesandtheprivatesectoreffortstoformulateandimplementplansandpoliciestostrengthentheprotectionofintellectualpropertyrightsinthecountry.

5.2.TheOfficeshallhavecustodyofallrecords,books,drawings,

specifications,documents,andotherpapersandthingsrelatingtointellectualpropertyrightsapplicationsfiledwiththeOffice.(n)

SECTION6.TheOrganizatioalStructureoftheIPO.—

6.1.TheOfficeshallbeheadedbyaDirectorGeneralwhoshallbeassisted

bytwo(2)DeputiesDirectorGeneral.

6.2.TheOfficeshallbedividedintosix(6)Bureaus,eachofwhichshallbe

headedbyaDirectorandassistedbyanAssistantDirector.TheseBureausare:

a.TheBureauofPatents;

b.TheBureauofTrademarks;c.TheBureauofLegalAffairs;

d.TheDocumentation,InformationandTechnologyTransferBureau;

e.TheManagementInformationSystemandEDPBureau;andf.TheAdministrative,FinancialandPersonnelServicesBureau.

6.3.TheDirectorGeneral,DeputiesDirectorGeneral,Directorsand

AssistantDirectorsshallbeappointedbythePresident,andtheotherofficersandemployeesoftheOfficebytheSecretaryofTradeand

Industry,conformablywithandundertheCivilServiceLaw.(n)

SECTION7.TheDirectorGeneralandDeputiesDirectorGeneral.—

7.1.Functions.—TheDirectorGeneralshallexercisethefollowingpowers

andfunctions:

a.ManageanddirectallfunctionsandactivitiesoftheOffice,

includingthepromulgationofrulesandregulationstoimplement

theobjectives,policies,plans,programsandprojectsoftheOffice:Provided,Thatintheexerciseoftheauthoritytoproposepoliciesandstandardsinrelationtothefollowing:(1)theeffective,

efficient,andeconomicaloperationsoftheOfficerequiring

statutoryenactment;(2)coordinationwithotheragenciesof

governmentinrelationtotheenforcementofintellectualpropertyrights;(3)therecognitionofattorneys,agents,orotherpersons

representingapplicantsorotherpartiesbeforetheOffice;and(4)theestablishmentoffeesforthefilingandprocessingofan

applicationforapatent,utilitymodelorindustrialdesignormarkoracollectivemark,geographicindicationandothermarksof

ownership,andforallotherservicesperformedandmaterials

furnishedbytheOffice,theDirectorGeneralshallbesubjecttothesupervisionoftheSecretaryofTradeandIndustry;

b.ExerciseexclusiveappellatejurisdictionoveralldecisionsrenderedbytheDirectorofLegalAffairs,theDirectorofPatents,theDirectorofTrademarks,andtheDirectoroftheDocumentation,InformationandTechnologyTransferBureau.ThedecisionsoftheDirector

GeneralintheexerciseofhisappellatejurisdictioninrespectofthedecisionsoftheDirectorofPatents,andtheDirectorofTrademarksshallbeappealabletotheCourtofAppealsinaccordancewiththeRulesofCourt;andthoseinrespectofthedecisionsoftheDirectorofDocumentation,InformationandTechnologyTransferBureau

shallbeappealabletotheSecretaryofTradeandIndustry;and

c.Exerciseoriginaljurisdictiontoresolvedisputesrelatingtothe

termsofalicenseinvolvingtheauthor'srighttopublicperformanceorothercommunicationofhiswork.ThedecisionsoftheDirector

GeneralinthesecasesshallbeappealabletotheSecretaryofTradeandIndustry.

7.2.Qualifications.—TheDirectorGeneralandtheDeputiesDirector

GeneralmustbenaturalborncitizensofthePhilippines,atleastthirty-five(35)yearsofageonthedayoftheirappointment,holdersofa

collegedegree,andofprovencompetence,integrity,probityand

independence:Provided,ThattheDirectorGeneralandatleastone(1)DeputyDirectorGeneralshallbemembersofthePhilippineBarwhohaveengagedinthepracticeoflawforatleastten(10)years:

Providedfurther,ThatintheselectionoftheDirectorGeneralandtheDeputiesDirectorGeneral,considerationshallbegiventosuch

qualificationsaswouldresult,asfaraspracticable,inthebalancedrepresentationintheDirectorateGeneralofthevariousfieldsof

intellectualproperty.

7.3.TermofOffice.—TheDirectorGeneralandtheDeputiesDirector

GeneralshallbeappointedbythePresidentforatermoffive(5)yearsandshallbeeligibleforreappointmentonlyonce:Provided,Thatthe

firstDirectorGeneralshallhaveafirsttermofseven(7)years.

Appointmenttoanyvacancyshallbeonlyfortheunexpiredtermofthepredecessor.

7.4.TheOfficeoftheDirectorGeneral.—TheOfficeoftheDirector

GeneralshallconsistoftheDirectorGeneralandtheDeputiesDirectorGeneral,theirimmediatestaffandsuchOfficesandServicesthattheDirectorGeneralwillsetuptosupportdirectlytheOfficeofthe

DirectorGeneral.(n)

SECTION8.TheBureauofPatents.—TheBureauofPatentsshallhavethefollowingfunctions:

8.1.Searchandexaminationofpatentapplicationsandthegrantof

patents;

8.2.Registrationofutilitymodels,industrialdesigns,andintegrated

circuits;and

8.3.Conductstudiesandresearchesinthefieldofpatentsinordertoassist

theDirectorGeneralinformulatingpoliciesontheadministrationandexaminationofpatents.(n)

SECTION9.TheBureauofTrademarks.—TheBureauofTrademarksshall

havethefollowingfunctions:cd

9.1.Searchandexaminationoftheapplicationsfortheregistrationof

marks,geographicindicationsandothermarksofownershipandtheissuanceofthecertificatesofregistration;and

9.2.Conductstudiesandresearchesinthefieldoftrademarksinorderto

assisttheDirectorGeneralinformulatingpoliciesontheadministrationandexaminationoftrademarks.(n)

SECTION10.TheBureauofLegalAffairs.—TheBureauofLegalAffairs

shallhavethefollowingfunctions:

10.1.Hearanddecideoppositiontotheapplicationforregistrationofmarks;cancellationoftrademarks;subjecttotheprovisionsofSection64,

cancellationofpatents,utilitymodels,andindustrialdesigns;and

petitionsforcompulsorylicensingofpatents;10.2.

a.Exerciseoriginaljurisdictioninadministrativecomplaintsfor

violationsoflawsinvolvingintellectualpropertyrights:Provided,Thatitsjurisdictionislimitedtocomplaintswherethetotal

damagesclaimedarenotlessthanTwohundredthousandpesos(P200,000):Providedfurther,Thatavailmentoftheprovisional

remediesmaybegrantedinaccordancewiththeRulesofCourt.TheDirectorofLegalAffairsshallhavethepowertoholdand

punishforcontemptallthosewhodisregardordersorwritsissuedinthecourseoftheproceedings.(n)

b.Afterformalinvestigation,theDirectorforLegalAffairsmayimposeone(1)ormoreofthefollowingadministrativepenalties:

i.Theissuanceofaceaseanddesistorderwhichshall

specifytheactsthattherespondentshallceaseand

desistfromandshallrequirehimtosubmitacompliancereportwithinareasonabletimewhichshallbefixedintheorder;

ii.Theacceptanceofavoluntaryassuranceofcomplianceordiscontinuanceasmaybeimposed.Suchvoluntary

assurancemayincludeoneormoreofthefollowing:

1.Anassurancetocomplywiththeprovisionsoftheintellectualpropertylawviolated;

2.Anassurancetorefrainfromengaginginunlawfulandunfairactsandpracticessubjectoftheformalinvestigation;

3.Anassurancetorecall,replace,repair,orrefundthemoneyvalueofdefectivegoodsdistributedincommerce;and

4.Anassurancetoreimbursethecomplainantthe

expensesandcostsincurredinprosecutingthe

caseintheBureauofLegalAffairs.TheDirectorofLegalAffairsmayalsorequiretherespondentto

submitperiodiccompliancereportsandfileabondtoguaranteecomplianceofhisundertaking;

iii.Thecondemnationorseizureofproductswhichare

subjectoftheoffense.Thegoodsseizedhereundershallbedisposedofinsuchmannerasmaybedeemed

appropriatebytheDirectorofLegalAffairs,suchasby

sale,donationtodistressedlocalgovernmentsorto

charitableorreliefinstitutions,exportation,recyclingintoothergoods,oranycombinationthereof,undersuch

guidelinesashemayprovide;

iv.Theforfeitureofparaphernaliaandallrealandpersonal

propertieswhichhavebeenusedinthecommissionoftheoffense;

v.TheimpositionofadministrativefinesinsuchamountasdeemedreasonablebytheDirectorofLegalAffairs,whichshallinnocasebelessthanFivethousandpesos

(P5,000)normorethanOnehundredfiftythousandpesos(P150,000).Inaddition,anadditionalfineofnotmore

thanOnethousandpesos(P1,000)shallbeimposedforeachdayofcontinuingviolation;

vi.Thecancellationofanypermit,license,authority,or

registrationwhichmayhavebeengrantedbytheOffice,orthesuspensionofthevaliditythereofforsuchperiodoftimeastheDirectorofLegalAffairsmaydeemreasonablewhichshallnotexceedone(1)year;

vii.Thewithholdingofanypermit,license,authority,orregistrationwhichisbeingsecuredbytherespondentfromtheOffice;

viii.Theassessmentofdamages;ix.Censure;and

x.Otheranalogouspenaltiesorsanctions.(Secs.6,7,8,and9,ExecutiveOrderNo.913[1983]a)

10.3.TheDirectorGeneralmaybyRegulationsestablishtheproceduretogoverntheimplementationofthisSection.(n)

SECTION11.TheDocumentation,InformationandTechnologyTransfer

Bureau.—TheDocumentation,InformationandTechnologyTransferBureaushallhavethefollowingfunctions:

11.1.SupportthesearchandexaminationactivitiesoftheOfficethroughthefollowingactivities:

a.MaintainandupkeepclassificationsystemswhethertheybenationalorinternationalsuchastheInternationalPatent

Classification(IPC)system;

b.Provideadvisoryservicesforthedeterminationofsearchpatterns;c.Maintainsearchfilesandsearchroomsandreferencelibraries;andd.Adaptandpackageindustrialpropertyinformation.

11.2.Establishnetworksorintermediariesorregionalrepresentatives;11.3.Educatethepublicandbuildawarenessonintellectualproperty

throughtheconductofseminarsandlectures,andothersimilaractivities;

11.4.Establishworkingrelationswithresearchanddevelopmentinstitutionsaswellaswithlocalandinternationalintellectualpropertyprofessionalgroupsandthelike;

11.5.Performstate-of-the-artsearches;

11.6.Promotetheuseofpatentinformationasaneffectivetooltofacilitatethedevelopmentoftechnologyinthecountry;

11.7.Providetechnical,advisory,andotherservicesrelatingtothelicensing

andpromotionoftechnology,andcarryoutanefficientandeffectiveprogramfortechnologytransfer;and

11.8.Registertechnologytransferarrangements,andsettledisputesinvolvingtechnologytransferpayments.(n)cdta

SECTION12.TheManagementInformationServicesandEDPBureau.—The

ManagementInformationServicesandEDPBureaushall:

12.1.Conductautomationplanning,researchanddevelopment,testingofsystems,contractswithfirms,contracting,purchaseandmaintenanceofequipment,designandmaintenanceofsystems,userconsultation,andthelike;and

12.2.ProvidemanagementinformationsupportandservicetotheOffice.(n)

SECTION13.TheAdministrative,FinancialandHumanResourceDevelopmentServiceBureau.—

13.1.13.1.TheAdministrativeServiceshall:

a.Provideservicesrelativetoprocurementandallocationofsuppliesandequipment,transportation,messengerialwork,cashiering,

paymentofsalariesandotherOffice'sobligations,office

maintenance,propersafetyandsecurity,andotherutilityservices;andcomplywithgovernmentregulatoryrequirementsintheareas

ofperformanceappraisal,compensationandbenefits,employmentrecordsandreports;

b.ReceiveallapplicationsfiledwiththeOfficeandcollectfeestherefore;and

c.Publishpatentapplicationsandgrants,trademarkapplications,andregistrationofmarks,industrialdesigns,utilitymodels,geographicindication,andlay-out-designsofintegratedcircuitsregistrations.

13.2.ThePatentandTrademarkAdministrationServicesshallperformthefollowingfunctionsamongothers:

a.Maintainregistersofassignments,mergings,licenses,andbibliographiconpatentsandtrademarks;

b.Collectmaintenancefees,issuecertifiedcopiesofdocumentsinitscustodyandperformsimilarotheractivities;and

c.Holdincustodyalltheapplicationsfiledwiththeoffice,andall

patentgrants,certificateofregistrationsissuedbytheoffice,andthelike.

13.3.TheFinancialServiceshallformulateandmanageafinancialprogramtoensureavailabilityandproperutilizationoffunds;provideforan

effectivemonitoringsystemofthefinancialoperationsoftheOffice;and

13.4.TheHumanResourceDevelopmentServiceshalldesignand

implementhumanresourcedevelopmentplansandprogramsforthepersonneloftheOffice;provideforpresentandfuturemanpower

needsoftheorganization;maintainhighmoraleandfavorable

employeeattitudestowardstheorganizationthroughthecontinuingdesignandimplementationofemployeedevelopmentprograms.(n)

SECTION14.UseofIntellectualPropertyRightsFeesbytheIPO.—

14.1.ForamoreeffectiveandexpeditiousimplementationofthisAct,the

DirectorGeneralshallbeauthorizedtoretain,withoutneedofa

separateapprovalfromanygovernmentagency,andsubjectonlyto

theexistingaccountingandauditingrulesandregulations,allthefees,fines,royaltiesandothercharges,collectedbytheOfficeunderthis

ActandtheotherlawsthattheOfficewillbemandatedtoadminister,foruseinitsoperations,likeupgradingofitsfacilities,equipment

outlay,humanresourcedevelopment,andtheacquisitionofthe

appropriateofficespace,amongothers,toimprovethedeliveryofitsservicestothepublic.Thisamount,whichshallbeinadditiontotheOffice'sannualbudget,shallbedepositedandmaintainedina

separateaccountorfund,whichmaybeusedordisburseddirectlybytheDirectorGeneral.

14.2.Afterfive(5)yearsfromthecomingintoforceofthisAct,theDirectorGeneralshall,subjecttotheapprovaloftheSecretaryofTradeand

Industry,determineifthefeesandchargesmentionedinSubsection

14.1hereofthattheOfficeshallcollectaresufficienttomeetits

budgetaryrequirements.Ifso,itshallretainallthefeesandchargesitshallcollectunderthesameconditionsindicatedinsaidSubsection

14.1butshallforthwith,ceasetoreceiveanyfundsfromtheannualbudgetoftheNationalGovernment;ifnot,theprovisionsofsaid

Subsection14.1shallcontinuetoapplyuntilsuchtimewhenthe

DirectorGeneral,subjecttotheapprovaloftheSecretaryofTradeandIndustry,certifiesthattheabove-statedfeesandchargestheOffice

shallcollectareenoughtofunditsoperations.(n)aisadc

SECTION15.SpecialTechnicalandScientificAssistance.—TheDirector

Generalisempoweredtoobtaintheassistanceoftechnical,scientificorother

qualifiedofficersandemployeesofotherdepartments,bureaus,offices,

agenciesandinstrumentalitiesoftheGovernment,includingcorporations

owned,controlledoroperatedbytheGovernment,whendeemednecessaryintheconsiderationofanymattersubmittedtotheOfficerelativetothe

enforcementoftheprovisionsofthisAct.(Sec.3,R.A.No.165a)

SECTION16.SealofOffice.—TheOfficeshallhaveaseal,theformand

designofwhichshallbeapprovedbytheDirectorGeneral.(Sec.4,R.A.No.165a)

SECTION17.PublicationofLawsandRegulations.—TheDirectorGeneral

shallcausetobeprintedandmakeavailablefordistribution,pamphletcopiesofthisAct,otherpertinentlaws,executiveordersandinformationcirculars

relatingtomatterswithinthejurisdictionoftheOffice.(Sec.5,R.A.No.165a)

SECTION18.TheIPOGazette.—Allmattersrequiredtobepublishedunder

thisActshallbepublishedintheOffice'sownpublicationtobeknownastheIPOGazette.(n)

SECTION19.DisqualificationofOfficersandEmployeesoftheOffice.—All

officersandemployeesoftheOfficeshallnotapplyoractasanattorneyorpatentagentofanapplicationforagrantofpatent,fortheregistrationofautilitymodel,industrialdesignormarknoracquire,exceptbyhereditary

succession,anypatentorutilitymodel,designregistration,ormarkoranyright,titleorinterestthereinduringtheiremploymentandforone(1)yearthereafter.(Sec.77,R.A.No.165a)

PARTII

TheLawonPatents

CHAPTERI

GeneralProvisions

SECTION20.DefinitionofTermsUsedinPartII,TheLawonPatents.—As

usedinPartII,thefollowingtermsshallhavethefollowingmeanings:

20.1."Bureau"meanstheBureauofPatents;20.2."Director"meanstheDirectorofPatents;

20.3."Regulations"meanstheRulesofPracticeinPatentCasesformulatedbytheDirectorofPatentsandpromulgatedbytheDirectorGeneral;

20.4."Examiner"meansthepatentexaminer;

20.5."Patentapplication"or"application"meansanapplicationforapatentforaninventionexceptinChaptersXIIandXIII,where"application"meansanapplicationforautilitymodelandanindustrialdesign,

respectively;and

20.6."Prioritydate"meansthedateoffilingoftheforeignapplicationforthesameinventionreferredtoinSection31ofthisAct.(n)

CHAPTERIIPatentability

SECTION21.PatentableInventions.—Anytechnicalsolutionofaprobleminanyfieldofhumanactivitywhichisnew,involvesaninventivestepandisindustriallyapplicableshallbepatentable.Itmaybe,ormayrelateto,a

product,orprocess,oranimprovementofanyoftheforegoing.(Sec.7,R.A.No.165a)

SECTION22.Non-PatentableInventions.—Thefollowingshallbeexcludedfrompatentprotection:

22.1.Discoveries,scientifictheoriesandmathematicalmethods;

22.2.Schemes,rulesandmethodsofperformingmentalacts,playinggamesordoingbusiness,andprogramsforcomputers;

22.3.Methodsfortreatmentofthehumanoranimalbodybysurgeryortherapyanddiagnosticmethodspracticedonthehumanoranimalbody.Thisprovisionshallnotapplytoproductsandcompositionforuseinanyofthesemethods;

22.4.Plantvarietiesoranimalbreedsoressentiallybiologicalprocessfortheproductionofplantsoranimals.Thisprovisionshallnotapplytomicro-organismsandnon-biologicalandmicrobiologicalprocesses.

ProvisionsunderthissubsectionshallnotprecludeCongressto

considertheenactmentofalawprovidingsuigenerisprotectionofplantvarietiesandanimalbreedsandasystemofcommunity

intellectualrightsprotection:

22.5.Aestheticcreations;and

22.6.Anythingwhichiscontrarytopublicorderormorality.(Sec.8,R.A.No.165a)

SECTION23.Novelty.—Aninventionshallnotbeconsiderednewifitforms

partofapriorart.(Sec.9,R.A.No.165a)

SECTION24.PriorArt.—Priorartshallconsistof:

24.1.Everythingwhichhasbeenmadeavailabletothepublicanywhereintheworld,beforethefilingdateortheprioritydateoftheapplication

claimingtheinvention;and

24.2.Thewholecontentsofanapplicationforapatent,utilitymodel,or

industrialdesignregistration,publishedinaccordancewiththisAct,

filedoreffectiveinthePhilippines,withafilingorprioritydatethatisearlierthanthefilingorprioritydateoftheapplication:Provided,Thattheapplicationwhichhasvalidlyclaimedthefilingdateofanearlier

applicationunderSection31ofthisAct,shallbepriorartwitheffect

asofthefilingdateofsuchearlierapplication:Providedfurther,Thattheapplicantortheinventoridentifiedinbothapplicationsarenotoneandthesame.(Sec.9,R.A.No.165a)cdt

SECTION25.Non-PrejudicialDisclosure.—

25.1.Thedisclosureofinformationcontainedintheapplicationduringthe

twelve(12)monthsprecedingthefilingdateortheprioritydateoftheapplicationshallnotprejudicetheapplicantonthegroundoflackof

noveltyifsuchdisclosurewasmadeby:

a.Theinventor;

b.Apatentofficeandtheinformationwascontained(a)inanother

applicationfiledbytheinventorandshouldnothavebeendisclosedbytheoffice,or(b)inanapplicationfiledwithouttheknowledgeorconsentoftheinventorbyathirdpartywhichobtainedthe

informationdirectlyorindirectlyfromtheinventor;or

c.Athirdpartywhichobtainedtheinformationdirectlyorindirectlyfromtheinventor.

25.2.ForthepurposesofSubsection25.1,"inventor"alsomeansanypersonwho,atthefilingdateofapplication,hadtherighttothepatent.(n)

SECTION26.InventiveStep.—Aninventioninvolvesaninventivestepif,

havingregardtopriorart,itisnotobvioustoapersonskilledintheartatthetimeofthefilingdateorprioritydateoftheapplicationclaimingthe

invention.(n)

SECTION27.IndustrialApplicability.—Aninventionthatcanbeproduced

andusedinanyindustryshallbeindustriallyapplicable.(n)

CHAPTERIII

RighttoaPatent

SECTION28.RighttoaPatent.—Therighttoapatentbelongstothe

inventor,hisheirs,orassigns.Whentwo(2)ormorepersonshavejointlymadeaninvention,therighttoapatentshallbelongtothemjointly.(Sec.10,R.A.No.165a)

SECTION29.FirsttoFileRule.—Iftwo(2)ormorepersonshavemadethe

inventionseparatelyandindependentlyofeachother,therighttothepatentshallbelongtothepersonwhofiledanapplicationforsuchinvention,or

wheretwoormoreapplicationsarefiledforthesameinvention,tothe

applicantwhohastheearliestfilingdateor,theearliestprioritydate.(3rd

sentence,Sec.10,R.A.No.165a.)

SECTION30.InventionsCreatedPursuanttoaCommission.—

30.1.Thepersonwhocommissionstheworkshallownthepatent,unlessotherwiseprovidedinthecontract.

30.2.Incasetheemployeemadetheinventioninthecourseofhisemploymentcontract,thepatentshallbelongto:

a.Theemployee,iftheinventiveactivityisnotapartofhisregulardutieseveniftheemployeeusesthetime,facilitiesandmaterialsoftheemployer.

b.Theemployer,iftheinventionistheresultoftheperformanceofhisregularly-assignedduties,unlessthereisanagreement,

expressorimplied,tothecontrary.(n)

SECTION31.RightofPriority.—Anapplicationforpatentfiledbyany

personwhohaspreviouslyappliedforthesameinventioninanothercountrywhichbytreaty,convention,orlawaffordssimilarprivilegestoFilipino

citizens,shallbecons