Intellectual property in Philippines

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia provides a full range of IP services ranging from trademark maintenance and monitoring to patent litigation. The practice is led by Susan Villanueva who is known as an expert in patent litigation, especially regarding pharmaceutical patents. Villaneuva was lead counsel in a dispute involving a high-profile drug where the firm successfully defended the client in the patent infringement suit. Divina Gracia E. Pedron is recognised as a ‘reliable and trusted adviser for matters involving intellectual property protection’. 

Ortega Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell‘s wide-ranging practice is equally strong in patent law and trademark law, with Roane Lopez specialising in patent work and Virna Emeline Caringal-Divino leading the trademark team. The team has grown substantially in recent years with three new associates joining to train as IP practitioners. The firm advises major multinationals in the Philippines such as Samsung and Bayer.

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is particularly well known for advisory work on branding and trademark issues, specialized and strategic IP portfolio management, and IP protection and enforcement. The firm’s client list ranges from high-profile luxury goods to global pharmaceutical companies. The firm frequently represents clients such as H&M and Hallmark Cards in trademark infringement proceedings against opposing parties filing for similar trademarks. Vida Panganiban-Alindogan heads up the team, advising clients on domain name issues, as well as copyright and trademark issues in social media.

Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) handles the full gamut of IP-related matters including both trademark and patent prosecution as well as advisory services. The firm has handled several trademark opposition cases for ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ largest multimedia conglomerate, against Apple for the protection of ABS-CBN’s primary trademark. Practice head Bienvenido Somera is lead counsel on these ongoing matters and is known for being an ‘adept litigator’. Katrina Doble and Mark Leo Bejemino are recommended for being ‘very competent, responsive and reliable.’ 

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) has a particular focus on trademarks, having advised a number of large Philippine conglomerates on trademark applications and intellectual property rights enforcement proceedings. The firm successfully represented Orafol in opposing the applications for registration of a trademark that was deemed by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to be confusingly similar to Orafol. Leading the practice are Alex Ferdinand S. Fider and Richmond K Lee.  Victor De Leon is another name to note; he represented a major US fast food restaurant chain in successfully prosecuting an infringement and unfair competition case against a local company before the Supreme Court.

Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) handles trademark and patent registrations, as well as disputes arising from patent, copyright and trademark infringement, led by practice head Oliver Baclay. The firm is adept at handling complex cross-border work, namely assisting Frontiir in the national phase entry of two inventions under the framework of the Patent Cooperation Treaty in eleven jurisdictions in Asia. The team is known to be ‘accessible’ and displays 'great knowledge’ of clients’ industries.

Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano advises clients across various industries on their intellectual property rights, from rights protection to administration and maintenance. The firm further advises clients on contractual concerns with licensees and other third parties. Well-respected in the intellectual property field, Shirley Alinea heads the practice, and is also an accredited arbitrator of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). Manuel Gonzalez is a go-to contact for drafting, negotiating, and reviewing IP-related transactions and contracts.

Disini & Disini Law Office offers expertise in a wide range of issues relating to intellectual property law, advising on the registration, maintenance, and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The firm formulates strategies and solutions in trademark management, copyright counseling, and patent registration for clients in e-commerce, biotechnology, cross-border digital logistics, and information technology sectors. JJ Disini, Rowena Disini, and Lars Serzo share the leadership of the practice.

Fortun Narvasa & Salazar stands out for its patent work; drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications for universities and institutes such as the University of the Philippines Baguio and the Technological Institute of the Philippines, as well as technology and pharmaceutical companies. The firm’s patent team works closely with an independent intellectual property and technology company, Pinoy IP Works, which is a spin-off from the firm, comprising of scientists and engineers who are subject matter experts. Alongside Walter Go, Bayani B Loste leads the team.

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra primarily advises clients on trademark registration and enforcement. The firm takes a proactive approach with clients by anticipating potential infringements suits, providing advice on the continued protection and monitoring of IP rights. The practice is lead by Lucas Niccolo Cauton and Ramon Andre Cedro .