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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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.
Corporate Name Disputes Priority Rights and Confusing Similarity in Trademark Law
Learn how Philippine courts resolve corporate name disputes, priority rights, and confusing similarity in trademark registration cases.
Website Activity as Proof of Commercial Use in Philippine Trademark Law
How Philippine courts treat website activity as evidence of commercial use in trademark cases, and what this means for brand owners.
Trademark LAW Distinctiveness Prevails Over Similarity IN ATM Service Branding
Trademark LAW Likelihood OF Confusion AND Forum Shopping IN Trademark Registration
Trademark Confusion: Prior Use and Consumer Deception in Philippine IP Law
The Supreme Court ruled that PHILITES is confusingly similar to PHILIPS, applying both the dominancy and holistic tests in trademark law.
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.
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.
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.