MANILA, Philippines - We recently posted an article wherein the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines was accused from stealing an artist's logo concept. And now, they have a response to that.

On our recent post wherein Kristian Kabuay, the founder of Baybayin.com, accused the IPOPH from stealing his design concept made rounds online. After the viral post of Kabuay, IPOPH finally responded to his allegations.

IPOPHL STATEMENT ON ITS LOGO

• This statement is in reaction to the article posted on September 22, 2015 by one Kristian Kabuay entitled “Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines steals Baybayin logo”, in the website baybayin.com and other similar posts and blog comments. 
• The IPOPHL logo was designed by the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) in consultation with IPOPHL officials sometime in August 2011 pursuant to a Memorandum Of Understanding dated July 2011. 
• The concepts of creativity, innovation, colors, and various facets of IP, served as guidance for the logo design. 
• The IPOPHL logo was launched in October 2011 and has been in continuous use to date.
• The issue on the logo came to the attention of the IPOPHL only on May 25, 2015 or after almost 4 years from its launching, when Baybayin Buhayin, Taklobo Baybayin, Inc. and John Nicolas Lacap Leyson (herein called Baybayin Group) through its counsel sent a demand letter, demanding, among others, for compensation for the design, concept and use of the logo.
• It must be stressed that IPOPHL has never met nor transacted with any of the officers or members of the Baybayin Group from conceptualization until finalization of the logo.
• Contrary to the allegation that the Baybayin Group was ignored by IPOPHL officials, meetings with the Group were called on four separate occasions (June 8 and 24, July 14, and August 3, 2015) to clarify their claims and address their concerns. However, when asked how the issue could be resolved, the Baybayin Group, in one of the meetings, reiterated their demand that they be compensated and quoted the amount of PhP 500,000, which IPOPHL declined outright, considering that the same had no factual and legal basis. 
• Baybayin characters are commonly used as in the logos of several government agencies such as the National Museum, National Library, NCCA, AFP and others.
• Baybayin is an ancient script, and no one has the exclusive right to use it.