SALTRIC’s journey to trademark registration with the assistance of the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office

A trademark represents a form of intellectual property, encompassing words, symbols, signs, or distinctive logos that act as recognizable identifiers for a specific product or service. It functions as the unique brand identity of a business, setting it apart from competitors and facilitating consumer recognition.

Among the intellectual property (IP) services provided by the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO), one notable offering is trademark registration. An example of an entrepreneur who benefited from this service is Mr Patrick Roland De Guzman, the founder and CEO of SALTRIC. 

SALTRIC derives its name from the fusion of "salt" and "electricity." The combination of these two elements holds great promise in the realm of sustainable and renewable energy solutions. This innovative approach involves harnessing clean electricity from saltwater, positioning it as a technology with vast potential for a wide range of clean energy applications.

With the invaluable assistance of AIPO, Mr De Guzman successfully obtained a YIPI Certificate from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) through the Youth Intellectual Property Incentive (YIPI) Program of the agency. This program extends free registration services to young individuals, including trademark registration, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth.

On 5 June 2023, the trademark registration of SALTRIC was filed with IPOPHL. The registration was then processed and published for opposition on the IPO e-Gazette. A party may file an opposition to the trademark within thirty (30) days from the publication date if there is any opposition to the registration that may involve identical or confusingly similar marks. Fortunately, the trademark registration received no hitches and was officially registered on 31 August 2023, with 10 years of protection and renewable every 10 years. Mr Patrick Roland De Guzman was awarded the certificate of registration for SALTRIC, acknowledging the success of the registration of the trademark.

If you are interested in seeking trademark protection or have questions about intellectual property in general, please don't hesitate to reach out to us via email at aipo@ateneo.edu. To learn more about our office and our services, you may visit our website at https://aipo.ateneo.edu. You may also check out our Facebook and LinkedIn pages for the latest updates and announcements.

To learn more about SALTRIC: https://saltric.wordpress.com/