The team at Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) covers the full scope of IP-related matters, encompassing trade mark infringement and unfair competition cases, copyright infringement and patent invalidation cases. The team focuses on advising clients within the pharma, food and beverage, and consumer goods sectors. The team is jointly led by Bienvenido Somera who is skilled at handling litigation and commercialisation matters, and Katrina Doble who brings expertise on enforcement and infringement issues. Antonio Miguel C. Lu handles pharma-related matters, while Mark Leo Bejemino is well-versed in trade mark litigation. Other key team members include Maria Patricia Cruz and Edward King Chua.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Bienvenido Somera is a charismatic colleague with serious contacts in the Philippines, always open for questions. Katarina Doble - like all the people we work with within V&A - is highly responsive. Mark Leo Benjamino is friendly and knowledgeable.'
- 'We have worked for more than 15 years with the V&A patent prosecution practise and since then dozens of patent applications have been handled. We are always satisfied with the quality and efficiency of the work.'
- 'Clear and practical advice.'
- 'The people we work with exemplify the firm’s commitment to excellence.'
- 'Danielle Francesca T. C. San Pedro in particular, is highly strategic, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven, translating complex legal matters into clear, actionable guidance. Danielle is proactive in identifying both risks and opportunities, ensuring we are always ahead of the curve. Her responsiveness, sound judgment, and ability to align legal advice with our commercial objectives make her an invaluable advisor. She consistently delivers with the professionalism that inspires trust at a high level.'
- 'V&A has been our trusted partner for IP and trade mark matters for as long as I can remember. Their work is consistently marked by speed, precision, and depth of expertise.'
Key clients
- ABS-CBN Corporation
- BDO Unibank, Inc.
- IICombined Co., Ltd.
- F&CO CO., Ltd.
- Innogen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- HYBE Co., Ltd. and BigHit Music Co., Ltd.
- JC Master Distribution Limited
- Exeltis Healthcare, S.L.
- Hyundai Motor Company
- Pan De Manila Co., Inc.
- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Fit Foods, Ltd.
Work highlights
Defended foreign beauty company, F&CO Co., Ltd. (F&CO) against baseless trade mark oppositions filed by local business giant and competitor, BENCH, allowing F&CO to further grow its business in the Philippines and prevent the use of brand litigation as a business bullying tactic against competitors in the market.
Assisted Innogen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., one of the Philippines’ largest generic drug manufacturers, in assailing evergreening patents involving Sitagliptin and Etoricoxib held by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp to allow the entry of cheaper generic alternatives for lifesaving and/or essential medicines into the Philippines.
Defended Fit Foods Ltd., a Canadian manufacturer and global distributor of nutritional supplements, against an opposition filed by Monster Energy Company’s (“MEC”) aimed solely at blocking the registration of its “MUTANT” trade mark in the Philippines.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Bienvenido Somera; Katrina Doble
Other key lawyers
Antonio Miguel C. Lu; Mark Leo Bejemino; Maria Patricia Cruz; Edward King Chua; Danielle Francesca T. C. San Pedro