The Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and VSU are geared to promote intellectual property awareness in the academe after the seminar on Technology Transfer Act (TTA) of 2009 and Intellectual Property Policies, at the PhilRootcrops Training Hall, September 15.

DOST’s Technology Licensing Office Head Atty. Lucieden G. Raz, who spearheaded the seminar, gave VSU faculty-researchers, administrators, and students a heads up on TTA, emphasizing its provisions for researchers.

TTA or the Republic Act No. 10055 is “an act providing the framework and support system for the ownership, management, use, and commercialization of intellectual property generated from research and development funded by the government and for other purposes”. It is also considered as a special law for government-funded projects.

Atty. Raz stressed the importance of a prompt application and filing for IP protection of technologies. Research and development institutions, such as VSU, that are funded by the government or DOST are entities bound by this law, said Atty. Raz, and thus should be aware of its applications and implications.

Prof. Alan B. Loreto, head of VSU’s Technology Protection and Transfer Office, urged researchers to observe the policies and requirements stipulated in the Act.

“[We should] institutionalize intellectual property awareness in the university,” said Prof. Loreto.

DOST showcased various technologies developed by Filipino researchers that have benefitted several adopters, during the Regional Technology Transfer Day in Ormoc City, September 14.