Philippines > Intellectual property > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Alex Fider leads the practice at Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw), which provides the full range of IP services and engages in contentious and non-contentious work. The firm has advised clients such as the San Miguel Corporation and BP on a range of IP matters, including administrative registration, licensing, franchising, data protection, and cybercrime prevention matters.

IP boutique Baranda & Associates is led by patent specialist Edmund Baranda, and provides the full range of IP legal and consultancy services, with strength on both the contentious and non-contentious side. Jose Genilo was recently made partner.

The ‘excellent’ IP practice at Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia has ‘good strength in depth’ and is particularly strong on contentious matters. Susan Villanueva represented Therapharma Inc. in opposing the attempted revival of an abandoned patent application for losartan, which the Supreme Court upheld as anti-competitive and prejudicial to the public. IP commercialisation expert Patricia Bunye is also recommended.

Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio has extensive experience in matters involving border control, enforcement, IP litigation, due diligence, and licensing. Editha Hechanova is the name to note.

Manuel Gonzalez and Shirley Alinea lead the practice at Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano, which provides clients with advice on a range of areas, from rights protection to administration and maintenance. The firm also acted for Century Pacific Food Inc. in its acquisition of the license to manufacture, market and distribute Hunt’s products in the Philippines, which was previously held by Hunt-Universal Robina Corporation.

The team at Ortega Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell provides expertise in IP clearance and protection, enforcement, due diligence and licensing. The key partners within the practice include Renato Calma, Roane Lopez III and Virna Caringal-Divino.

The IP group at Quisumbing Torres is headed by Bienvenido Marquez III, who is strongly supported by Divina Ilas-Panganiban. The firm advises clients such as Uber International B.V. on protection of IP rights, registration and maintenance of domain names, transactional IT, privacy and data protection, and regulatory compliance matters.

The IP practice at Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los Angeles is led by Rogelio Nicandro, who is experienced in handling a range of matters, including patent filing, trade marks, copyright, and e-commerce.

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s IP practice is led by Enrique Manuel and provides services in areas including IP rights protection, licensing, and administrative proceedings. The firm acts for clients from a range of industries and recently represented Apple Inc. in an opposition proceeding against the application for registration of a trade mark owned by Swatch AG.

The ‘knowledgeable’ Bienvenido Somera, Jr leads the ‘professional’ and ‘responsive’ IP practice at Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law). The team provides ‘an excellent service’ and is ‘well versed’ in the full range of IP prosecution and litigation matters. Amongst its broad portfolio of work, the firm continues to represent ABS-CBN in a trade mark opposition case against Apple Inc. concerning design similarities between the client’s renowned trade mark and Apple’s three-circle device mark used for its Apple Watch Activity app.

The IP team at Betita Cabilao Casuela Sarmiento is well-versed in handling a range of matters, including trade mark licensing issues, enforcement, and litigation. Name partners Andre Betita, John Paul Cabilao, Pericles Casuela and Joseph Sarmiento are the key IP practitioners within the firm.

Bucoy Poblador & Associates advises clients on licensing, transfer of technology and other related contracts. Managing partner Antonio Bucoy is particularly active within the practice area, alongside Erwin Fernandez, Filemon Fernandez III and Amando Miclat.

Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose’s IP practice advises local and international clients on the full range of IP law; the firm has represented multinational corporations, foreign law firms, and professional groups, and has particular expertise in advising major pharmaceutical manufacturers on medical advertisement law and regulatory compliance.

Augusto San Pedro heads the IP team at Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leaño, which counts McDonald’s Corporation and clothing brands such as Levi Strauss and Affliction among its clients.

Gilbert Reyes leads the team at Poblador Bautista & Reyes, which has experience in trade marks, licensing, copyright protection, patents and litigation.

Puyat Jacinto & Santos Law Offices advises clients on licensing, data protection, registration of copyrights, trade mark opposition disputes, and copyright infringement matters, among other areas. Joshua Paraiso and Fidel Valeros, Jr are recommended.