Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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LOLANE vs ORLANE: When Trademark Similarity Does Not Mean Confusion
The Supreme Court explains when two trademarks are too similar, and when they are not, in this Philippine trademark case.
Finality of Judgment vs Probable Cause: Balancing Justice in Trademark Infringement Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that a final judgment quashing search warrants binds courts, but probable cause for prosecution may still stand.
Trademark Disputes: Unfair Competition and Prejudicial Questions in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when civil trademark cases can suspend criminal prosecutions and how courts review prosecutorial findings on probable cause.
Untimely Appeal: When Delays in Filing Cost Levi's Its Trademark Protection
The Supreme Court rules that failing to perfect a timely appeal to the Court of Appeals is jurisdictional, costing Levi Strauss its TAB DEVICE trademark.
Trademark Law Dominancy Test Prevails in Papa Brand Dispute
Supreme Court applies dominancy test in trademark confusion case between Papa and Papa Boy & Device marks.
Trademark Infringement Mootness Doctrine and the Dissolution of Preliminary Injunctions
When a final judgment on the merits is rendered, an ancillary preliminary injunction dissolves, rendering appeals on the writ moot.
Trademark Registration: Similarity and Consumer Confusion in Electronic Goods
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when identical trademarks can coexist on different electronic goods under Philippine IP law.
Deceptive Imitation: Unfair Competition Claims Without Trademark Registration
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld an unfair competition claim against sellers of counterfeit medicated oil, even without trademark registration.
Geographical Trademark AND Unfair Competition Protecting Business Identity IN Real Estate
Trademark Confusion: When Similar Marks on Different Products Are Allowed
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when similar trademarks on unrelated goods can coexist, applying the multifactor test for confusing similarity.
Trademark Infringement Search Warrants: Probable Cause in IP Cases Explained
Supreme Court clarifies the standard of probable cause for search warrants in trademark infringement and unfair competition cases under the IP Code.
Protecting Trademarks: Unauthorized Refilling Constitutes Infringement And Unfair Competition
Unauthorized refilling of LPG cylinders bearing registered trademarks is trademark infringement and unfair competition, the Supreme Court ruled.
Trademark Infringement: Why Likelihood of Confusion Is the Core Element
The Supreme Court acquits a jeans tailor of trademark infringement, explaining why likelihood of confusion is the heart of the offense.
False Designation of Origin: When "Made in Portugal" Labels Mislead Consumers
The Supreme Court's ruling in Uyco v. Lo clarifies when geographic labels on products constitute false designation of origin under Philippine trademark law.
Trademark Confusion: Visual and Aural Differences Determine Similarity in Shark Logos
Philippine Supreme Court rules on trademark confusion, comparing shark logos under the Dominancy and Holistic tests in Great White Shark v. Caralde.
Protecting Global Brands in the Philippines: Well-Known Marks and Trademark Rights
The Supreme Court ruled that well-known foreign marks like Harvard are protected in the Philippines even without local registration or use.
Dominancy Test Prevails in Philippine Trademark Infringement Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that the dominancy test governs trademark infringement, focusing on dominant features rather than overall differences.
Trademark Ownership: Prior Use Trumps Earlier Filing in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in trademark disputes, actual prior use in commerce prevails over an earlier filing date under RA 8293.
Trademark Confusion: Protecting Prior Use and Registration Rights
The Supreme Court explains how prior use and registration of a trademark defeat a later application for a confusingly similar mark.
When "NANNY" Infringes "NAN": The Dominancy Test in Philippine Trademark Law
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a similar-sounding mark like NANNY infringes a registered trademark like NAN, applying the dominancy test.
Trademark Rights in the Philippines: Prior Use vs. Registration Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on whether trademark rights come from prior use or registration, and why distributors cannot own the marks they sell.
LPG Refilling and Trademark Protection: Delineating Criminal Liability in Corporate Actions
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when corporate officers face criminal liability for trademark infringement in LPG refilling operations.
When Can a Generic Term Like "Ginebra" Be Protected as a Trademark?
The Supreme Court clarifies when a generic word like "Ginebra" may acquire trademark protection through secondary meaning, and why preliminary injunctions demand a clear right.
Burger Battle: Protecting Brand Identity Against Unfair Competition in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the IPO's jurisdiction over unfair competition cases and the protection of well-known foreign trademarks in the Philippines.