Mizuno Loses Bid to Protect Its “Runbird” Logo in the Philippines
January 26, 2015 The “Runbird” logo is a recognizable symbol, which identifies Japanese-based Mizuno Corporation and its sportswear products. This free-flowing, graphic symbol has been compared to other famous logos of leading sportswear companies, such as the three stripes of Adidas and the unmistakable swoosh of industry giant Nike. It is therefore not surprising that […]
Proposed Drug Name “OMEZOLE” Rejected as Identical to Generic Term “OMEPRAZOLE”
By: Mila Federis November 10, 2014 A recent decision of the Philippine Bureau of Legal Affairs (“BLA”) tackled the issue of distinctiveness in designations for pharmaceutical products. In Westmont Pharmaceutical, Inc. vs. Platinum Pharmaceuticals (PVT), Ltd. (IPC No. 14-2011-00153), 22 September 2014, the applicant attempted to register “OMEZOLE” as a trademark for “pharmaceutical preparations for […]
Philippines to Accede to the Nice and Vienna Agreements, STLT and the Hague Agreement in 2015
October 23, 2014 At the National Seminar on Industrial Designs and Trademarks hosted by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) last October 17, 2014, it was announced that in 2015 the Philippines plans to accede to the Nice and Vienna Agreements, to the Singapore Trademark Law Treaty, as well as to the Hague […]
Philippines Announces Initiatives in support of ASEAN Integration
October 23, 2014 The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) announced several initiatives that show its resounding support for the move to establish an ASEAN community. These initiatives were discussed in a public forum held on October 17 participated by IP professionals and IP rights holders. IPOPHIL disclosed its plan to launch sometime in […]
Honda’s Attempt to Enforce Copyright for its Engine Designs Backfires
October 1, 2014 Is the appearance of an engine design copyrightable? This question was answered by the Court of Appeals in the case of TLA Corporation, et al. vs. Honda Motor Company Ltd. and the National Library (CA-G.R. CV No. 98777, Aug. 5, 2014). Intellectual property owners sometimes seek copyright protection when its product designs […]
Secondary Meaning: Proof is in the Chant
September 30, 2014 Basketball in the Philippines is a sport that generates intense passion. While local players do not yet stand on the same footing as world-class NBA players, they are still feted as heroes here. Any team that gets to the top of the heap acquires legendary status, and its name would seemingly echo […]
Starbucks Wins Its Fight Against “FRAP” Trademark in the Philippines
September 30, 2014 The Philippines’ Bureau of Legal Affairs sustained the opposition of Starbucks Coffee Co. against a trademark application for “THE FRAP BAR Everyone Deserves Frap and Design” filed by Café De Manila Corporation in connection with coffee. In its opposition, Starbucks asserted that Café de Manila should not be allowed to register the […]
Benson and Hedges Misses a Bulls Eye in a Trademark Contest with Philip Morris
September 13, 2014 Benson and Hedges (Overseas) Limited opposed an application filed by Philip Morris Brands Sarl for a three-dimensional shape of an ICE BALL LENS claiming confusing similarity with earlier trademark registrations for LUCKY STRIKE featuring a BULLS EYE device. Benson asserted expanded protection for its BULLS EYE device under the well-known mark provision […]
Philippines Implements a System of Pre-Grant Third Party Review in Patent Applications
September 11, 2014 The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) has announced its much-delayed implementation of a pre-grant Community Review Process (CRP) for patent applications. In a gathering of industry representatives held at the IPOPHIL on September 10, 2014, the Director of the Bureau of Patents announced that the Bureau of Patents will adopt […]
Small-sized Firm But With Big League Credentials
It may not have the litigation muscle of big time law firms but what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for quality in litigation work. Federis, with a litigation department of4 lawyers, scored towering victories in the previous months in various brand wars for important clients with highly competitive market to protect. […]