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 1–10 of 10 articles for “trademark”

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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 17, 2021 unfair competition intellectual property code continuing offense jurisdiction supreme court

Unfair Competition as a Continuing Offense: What the Petron v. Yao Ruling Means

The Supreme Court clarifies when selling counterfeit goods is a continuing offense, affecting jurisdiction and prosecution strategy.

Mar 1, 2021 trademark intellectual-property supreme-court levis confusing-similarity trademark-cancellation

LIVE'S vs LEVI'S: Supreme Court Rules on Trademark Confusion and Cancellation

The Supreme Court cancelled the LIVE'S trademark registration, ruling it confusingly similar to LEVI'S under the Dominancy Test.

Mar 1, 2020 transferee pendente lite trademark assignment intellectual property civil procedure sunfire trading trademark litigation

Transferee Pendente Lite in Trademark Assignments: The Sunfire Trading Case

Learn how the Sunfire Trading ruling clarifies that buying a trademark during litigation binds the buyer to the case's outcome.

Mar 5, 2017 trademark infringement intellectual property probable cause grave abuse of discretion false designation of origin criminal law

Trademark Infringement and Probable Cause: When the Secretary of Justice Abuses Discretion

The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may override the Secretary of Justice's dismissal of trademark infringement complaints for grave abuse of discretion.

Jan 27, 2013 false designation of origin intellectual property code trademark infringement consumer protection probable cause ra 8293

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.

Aug 14, 2009 trademark intellectual property ginebra secondary meaning preliminary injunction philippine law

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.

Nov 10, 2004 notarial powers clerks of court administrative law notary public gross misconduct

Clerks of Court as Notaries: Limits on Ex Officio Notarial Powers

Clerks of court are ex officio notaries, but their notarial powers extend only to official duties—not private documents.

Jul 12, 2000 patent law laches negligence intellectual property bureau of patents legal malpractice

Negligence in Patent Applications: How Attorney Laches Can Cost You Patent Rights

When lawyers fail to respond to patent office actions, applicants may lose their rights. The Supreme Court explains why.