Technology commercialization underscores value of creativity and innovation

MANILA, April 22 (PNA) -– The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) has reiterated the importance of the commercialization of technology to sustained growth and development of the country.

This was stressed by both Atty. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines), and Senator Edgardo Angara, at today’s opening of the 2nd National Workshop on Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization.

The event was organized by the Intellectual Property Research and Technology Institute (IPRTI). It runs until 23 April 2009.

Attending the 2nd National Workshop on Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization are representatives from various government and private organizations who support the development of technology generated from the academia and research and development institutions.

Done in partnership with the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the United States Department of Commerce, the workshop seeks to expand understanding of various concepts in technology transfer and provide practical illustrations and examples of revenue-creating capability of commercialized technology.

The three-day workshop will also present participants with practical and operational framework that will allow them to perform processes in technology transfer, intellectual property (IP) valuation, licensing and transnational negotiations.

Local and international experts from technology-generating and commercializing institutions are set to provide perspectives and strategies in marketing and licensing of academia and RDI-generated technologies.

“The 2nd National Workshop on Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization is designed to keep innovation moving forward,” Cristobal said.

The first National Workshop on Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization held last year resulted in the Commission on Higher Education’s crafting of a joint circular urging the academe to come up with their own IP policy.

This year, Cristobal said, the workshop bridges the gap between the academe and the market by bringing together technology creators and those with the means to commercialize technology.

“This linkage is critical to take innovation from the research and development institutions (RDI) to the doorstep of people through commercialization. Technology commercialization is a priority program,” Cristobal said.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, said that innovation is key to survival to the world economic crisis.