The Philippines is the country with the longest tradition of intellectual property
protection in the region, reaching back to decrees introduced by the Spanish colonial
power in the early 19th century18. After a period of IP protection via Presidential
decrees during the Marcos regime, the Philippines was the first country in Southeast
Asia to adopt a comprehensive intellectual property code following WIPO models in
1995. The Code covers patents, utility models, trade marks and geographical
indications, copyright, industrial designs, layout designs of integrated circuits and
undisclosed information. There is separate legislation providing for plant variety
protection since 2002.