“JUANA MAKE A MARK” will provide free trademark registration for MSME’s

 

 

Beginning February 14, 2017 until February 14, 2018, Philippines start-up companies will get the chance to register their trademarks for free.

 

Through the joint project of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, “JUANA MAKE A MARK” will provide free trademark registration to 1,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by waiving the application fee, claim of color fee, and publication fees. “JUANA” is a popular woman’s name in the Philippines, which sounds like, well-WANNA. The intention is to appeal to everyone who has a small business. 

 

The free registration is certainly a good initiative from the IPO and DTI. Start-up companies however are encouraged to seek the advice of intellectual property owners to conduct a search on the existence of identical or similar marks prior to proceeding with the trademark registration to avoid any opposition or cancellation action from registered trademark owners, or an infringement action.

 

As intellectual property lawyers, we consider that the initiative will help many of the small business owners in the Philippines, but it may also be an open invitation to copy many of the lesser known marks from oversees. Hopefully it does not turn into “JUANA MAKE SOME MONEY FAST”.

 

P. S.

Estimated savings is Php3,808.