A Project of RCM jointly with the DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (DOST) and the INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE (IPO) PHILIPPINES

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIPARTITE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE

ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA, DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY and INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, from 1998 to the present, only around 200 patents, representing less than 2% of the total patented inventions approved by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) were by Filipino citizens, the rest being of foreign origin;

WHEREAS, all three parties hereto recognize the significant role of scientific inventions, discoveries and innovations in the development and progress of the Philippines, and therefore agreed to jointly sponsor the Scientific Inventions, Discoveries & Innovations (SIDI) Awards to provide incentives to Filipino scientists and inventors;

NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises, the parties hereto bind themselves to cooperate and forge a partnership to ensure the successful implementation of the SIDI Awards and hereby agree, as follows:

I The RCM shall:

1.      Coordinate all the necessary activities, and provide support systems leading to the final selection of the initial 2012 SIDI Awardees and the annual Awardees thereafter, and

 2.      Assist in the distribution of nomination forms and accept accomplished nominations through its Secretariat; and

3.      Acknowledge the participation of the DOST and the IPO Philippines in all communication and promotional materials, i.e., brochure, leaflets, advertising and others, to be issued by the RCM and the SIDI Awards Committee;

II The DOST shall:

1.      Participate in the dissemination of information of the SIDI Awards program; distribution and acceptance of nomination forms through their offices;

 2.      Participate in the screening and selection process of the Awardees;

3.      Designate a senior official at the DOST Central Office for regular operation coordination.

III The IPO Philippines shall:

1.      Participate in the dissemination of information regarding the SIDI Awards program, and in the screening and selection process of the Awardees;

 2.      Provide technical assistance, particularly with regard to ascertaining the patentability of the invention or innovation and the registrability of the utility models at the stage of the contest fair; and

3.       Designate a senior official of the IPO Philippines for regular operational coordination.