by Junierose D. Bundoc
To support the commercialization of DOST-generated technologies aimed at strengthening the country’s intellectual property (IP) and technology portfolios, the Technology Application and Promotion Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI) conducted several training sessions on Freedom to Operate (FTO).
FTO is a due diligence process undertaken by IP rights owners to identify potential risks of infringing activity or patent barriers in commercialization.
(First row left to right) DOST-TAPI Director Edgar I. Garcia, Engr. Ingemar Wistrand and Dr. Linus Plym Forshell of PRV, and DOST-TAPI Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena during the Advanced FTO Training on 27-28 June 2019 in Makati City
In order to legally commercialize a specific technology, an FTO analysis is crucial in determining if there are already existing IP rights that cover that technology, the processes it undergoes, and the marketing strategies used in promoting that technology.
Hence, an FTO assessment is a determining tool whether to pursue or forgo the commercialization of a specific technology.
One of the trainings launched by DOST-TAPI is the two-day live-in training-workshop on Basic FTO on 04-05 May 2017 at the B Hotel, Muntinlupa City.
The event was conducted in collaboration with the Association of PAQE Professionals, Inc. (APP) and funded through the “Support to the Preparation of FTO in the Technology Transfer Activities of Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development-Funded Projects.”
Led by APP President Atty. Bayani B. Loste, reputable speakers from the sole association of registered patent agents in the Philippines spearheaded the training-workshop.
Atty. Jose Eduardo T. Genilo, Atty. Anne Mariae Celeste V. Jumadla, Atty. Misael F. Costes, and Atty. Criela D. Fragante served as resource speakers who discussed the importance of FTO, patent infringement, procedure, jurisprudence, trademark, copyright infringement, and the elements of a good FTO analysis.
A total of 25 participants from state universities and colleges (SUC), research and development institutes (RDI), and government offices have completed the training.
Meanwhile, in order to capacitate the technology licensing professionals in the context of foreign and local markets, DOST-TAPI conducted the first ever Advanced FTO Training in collaboration with the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV) on 27-28 June 2019 at the Dusit Thani Manila, Makati City.
The two-day live-in training was organized under the project “Support to the Commercialization of 500 DOST Generated Technologies and Strengthening the Country’s IP and Technology Portfolios,” or DOST 500 and was handled by PRV patent engineers, Dr. Linus Plym Forshell and Engr. Ingemar Wistrand.
Twenty-nine participants from various RDIs and SUCs have enthusiastically finished the training-workshop.
With the completion of the DOST 500 Project in June 2021, a total of 123 FTO reports were issued successfully.
To know more about the DOST 500 Project, please attend the Week-Long Accomplishment and Culminating Activity of Special Projects on 26-30 July 2021 via the DOST-TAPI Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/DOST.TAPI.
For more information, please visit www.techtrans.gov.ph and www.tapi.dost.gov.ph, contact 8837 2071 local 2157 and 2167, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
