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.

Showing 1–3 of 3 articles for “prior use”

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Jul 23, 2023 trademark law intellectual property ip code registration mr. gulaman supreme court

Trademark Ownership in the Philippines: Why Registration Beats Prior Use

Philippine trademark law shifted from use-based to registration-based ownership. Learn how the "Mr. Gulaman" case clarifies the rules and risks.

Jan 22, 2023 trademark law intellectual property first-to-file rule bad faith ipophl

Trademark Ownership in the Philippines: When Bad Faith Defeats First-to-File

Prior use can defeat a first-to-file trademark application if the applicant acted in bad faith. Learn the rule and its exceptions.

Mar 31, 2006 trademark law intellectual property prior use registration shangri-la philippine supreme court

Trademark Ownership in the Philippines: Why Prior Use Beats Registration Alone

The Supreme Court explains why actual use in commerce, not mere registration, determines trademark ownership under Philippine law.