Two of the IP Department’s Junior Associates, recently passed the 2008 Patent Agent Qualifying Exam (“PAQE”) administered by the IPO on 30 July 2008. Ms. Khristine C. Dy and Ms. Ma. Sophia Cruz-Abrenica were among the eighteen (18) successful examinees out of thirty-three (33) PAQE examinees for 2008. All successful examinees, except those prohibited by law, are automatically entered into the IPO’s Registry of Patent Agents.

The PAQE is an annual examination given to individuals who wish to qualify as registered patent agents in the Philippines. The PAQE is a major program of the IPO through its Intellectual Property Research and Training Institute and is supported by the European Patent Office (“EPO”). The lecturers/examiners of the 2008 PAQE were Mr. Karl Rackette and Mr. Ray Coleiro, both registered patent attorneys from the EPO.

Only lawyers with technical degrees automatically qualify to take the 2008 PAQE after finishing the pre-requisite five-day patent drafting workshop. However, lawyers with non-technical backgrounds were also allowed to take the PAQE upon completion of an IPO-sponsored refresher course in either Chemistry or Mechanical Engineering which was given by select professors from the Ateneo de Manila University.

The PAQE was classified into two scientific fields, Chemistry and non-Chemistry. Examinees had the option to take the PAQE in either of the said fields. Both Ms. Dy and Ms. Cruz-Abrenica passed the PAQE in Chemistry.

Ms. Cruz-Abrenica has a Masters of Science in Molecular Biology from the Vrije Universitiet in Brussels, Belgium, while Ms. Dy holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering with a minor in Information Technology from the Ateneo de Manila University.

They join Ms. Rowanie Nakan, another Junior Associate of the IP Department, as registered patent agents of the IPO. Ms. Nakan passed the 2007 PAQE in Engineering.

Contact Persons:

      Rowanie A. Nakan
      Khristine C. Dy
      Ma. Sophia Cruz-Abrenica