The Legal 500 > Asia Pacific > Philippines > Intellectual property

Full-service firm Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) has a strong IP department, which fields lawyers with technical and legal qualifications and who are members of local, regional and international IP organisations. Its client base comprises domestic and multinational companies, including household name brands. The busy department excels in high-profile, complex and novel IP cases. In a recent highlight, it successfully acted for major Philippine conglomerate San Miguel in opposing the registration of the “Magnolia Bakery” mark filed by Magnolia Intellectual Property LLC; the decision affirms the reputation and popularity of San Miguel’s “MAGNOLIA” mark, which is used on various dairy products. Non-contentious work also features among the team's workload. Alex Ferdinand Fider and Richmond Lee are key practitioners.

The 'flexible' IP team at Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia advises on IP commercialisation and marketing, patent applications, unfair competition and domain name issues. Its lawyers have backgrounds in physics, chemistry and engineering, among other fields, and some members of the team are qualified as patent agents. On the contentious side, the team has experience in administrative and judicial tribunals at all levels. The team also stands out for its particular knowledge of the pharma sector, where it advises major companies on contentious and non-contentious IP matters. Department head Susan Villanueva represents companies in the broadcasting, consumer care, pharma, IT, manufacturing and financial services sectors in IP cases.

Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano advises on IP registration processes, infringement and portfolio management, and it is particularly strong in trade marks. The IP department's clients include companies in the healthcare, financial services and real estate sectors, among others. As an example, the team assists DKT International, a major provider of family planning and reproductive health products, on the management of its trade mark portfolio. Shirley Alinea co-heads the practice and is also an accredited arbitrator of the IPOHL. Manuel Gonzalez, who co-founded the firm and leads the practice alongside Alinea, has broad expertise in IP, corporate and commercial law.

IP is one of the key focus areas at mid-sized firm Ortega Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell, which has a long history in the Philippines market. Its clients - many of which have been working the firm for several decades - seek the team's advice and representation in anti-counterfeiting measures, trade mark opposition and prosecution and patent litigation. Among its clients is Emperador Distillers; Roane Lopez and senior associate Ruby Ann Jalit assist the brandy maker in cross-border trademark transactions, oppositions, and registrations, often working with correspondents from the EU, the US, UK, Africa and Southeast Asia. As part of the firm's move towards full automation of its systems, it utilises specialised management software for its case files and IP work, increasing its efficiency in this space.

Baker McKenzie member firm Quisumbing Torres maintains a broad and busy IP department. It stands out for its high-profile and innovative work in the IP space, particularly with regards to anti-counterfeiting measures. In an example, a team led by practice head Bienvenido Marquez assisted Hyundai Mobis in its global anti-counterfeiting programme, which involved the coordination of raids against three establishments in Manila. The firm uses a global IP management (GIPM) web-based tool to effectively and efficiently manage substantial client portfolios. Bienvenido Marquez III  and Divina Ilas-Panganiban are key partners in the practice, and Reena Mitra-Ventanilla is a new partner in the team.

Widely recognised for IP work in the Philippines, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan covers trade marks, patents and copyright, handling a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. It has recently secured a number of successes for clients in trade mark opposition proceedings. The firm has strength across the board, and its TMT and corporate M&A know-how are of benefit in licensing, technology transfers and other IP-related transactions. The team counts household name companies and brands among its clients, many of which have been seeking the team's assistance in IP matters for over 10 years. Vida Panganiban-Alindogan heads the sizeable team. Former practice head Enrique Manuel retired in 2018, but continues to act as of counsel.

Bienvenido Somera Jr heads the department at Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law), which has the size and experience to handle all aspects of IP, from trade mark and patent prosecution to border control measures to copyright registration. Recent areas of growth include IP commercialisation and over-the-top (OTT) regulatory advice, among others, and the team also expanded its already sizeable client base with new client wins in the healthcare and media sectors. The department has specialised IP litigation lawyers, and a number of members of the team have technical backgrounds. Junior partner Katrina Doble draws on over 14 years' experience in IP, with a special focus on trade mark law and IP litigation.

Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leaño added a number of significant new clients to its already extensive IP client base; among them are large companies in the healthcare and food and beverage sectors. Recently, the team has been busy advising on trade mark searches, applications, oppositions - including defending clients against opposition proceedings - and enforcement. Augusto San Pedro and Jenny Santiago are the practice heads.

Del Rosario & Del Rosario handles all aspects of IP law, with a particular focus on trade mark and design registrations. Arturo Del Rosario Jr. leads the team.

Bayani Loste heads the IP department at Fortun Narvasa & Salazar. In 2018 and 2019, the team was particularly busy handling the prosecution of patent applications for inventions, utility models and industrial designs generated by research and development institutions in the Philippines, including universities and the Department of Science and Technology. The team also stands out for its ability to provide valuation reports on government technologies that have been chosen for commercialisation.

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra complements its impressive TMT practice with a broad IP offering; it advises on patents, trade marks, disputes and IP strategy. Its patent attorneys have knowledge of IT, electric and electronic engineering, chemistry and life sciences. The IP department also benefits from the firm's strategic alliance with Singapore-based IP specialist firm Yusarn Audrey. Lucas Niccolo Cauton III is the practice head and is well versed in IP and other litigation.

Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio undertakes work in border control, enforcement, IP litigation, licensing, due diligence, and IP management and strategy. Managing partner Editha Hechanova is the name to note.

The IP practice at Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres Ibarra Sison & Damaso is led by Joel Espinueva and handles contentious and non-contentious matters, including representing companies in actions against trade mark infringement, counterfeiting, piracy and unfair competition. The group recently added new client Fil Pacific Apparel Corporation to its established client base.

Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako undertakes work for both domestic and international clients with a range of IP issues. The key contact is Celso Cruz.

The trade marks department at VeraLaw (Del Rosario Raboca Gonzales Grasparil) has recently handled a number of applications and oppositions. Its diverse client portfolio includes leading automotive, aviation and pharma companies; its clients benefit from the firm's sophisticated database management programme VERASMART IP, allowing them to access their trade mark portfolios online and verify the status of the marks. In team news, Maria Francesca Bautista was promoted to senior associate. Maria Theresa Gonzales is the key contact at the partner level.