Philippine Supreme Court Affirms Conviction of Liquor Trademark Infringer
In a 12-page decision penned by Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin, the Philippine Supreme Court’s First Division affirmed the Court of Appeals in convicting Juno Batistis for trademark infringement involving the Fundador mark. The case emanated from an NBI-led search warrant enforcement which yielded counterfeit Fundador bottles, boxes and plastic caps. The search warrant for […]
US Appellate Court Overturns Injunction Against Microsoft’s Sale of Word
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted Microsoft Corporation’s motion to stay the injunction issued by the Federal District Court preventing the software leader from distributing its popular software Word. Earlier in the year, the Federal Judge found that Microsoft infringed on a 1998 patent issued to Canadian firm, I4i, over Extensible […]
NBI Cracks Down on Counterfeit Lacoste Manufacturer in the Philippines
Almost PhP34 million worth of counterfeit Lacoste apparel and machinery used in counterfeiting operations were recently seized from a manufacturing facility in Valenzuela City, Philippines by agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Several high-speed sewing machines and a 20-head embroidery machine used to make counterfeit Lacoste shirts were seized from a multiple-warehouse and […]
SC Relaxes Rule on Endorsement of Application for Search Warrants in IP Cases
In an En Banc Resolution A.M. No. 08-4-4-SC dated July 7, 2009, the Supreme Court has relaxed the procedural requirement for search warrant applications filed before the regional trial courts of Manila and Quezon City by amending Section 12 of A.M. No. 03-8-02-SC or the Guidelines on the Selection and Appointment of Executive Judges and […]
SC Voids Preliminary Injunction Against Tanduay
The Supreme Court of the Philippines declared void the writ of preliminary injunction issued by Branch 214 of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court enjoining the sale of “Ginebra Kapitan” gin products by Tanduay Distillers, Inc. In a 23-page decision penned by Justice Antonio T. Carpio, the High Court set aside a Court of Appeals […]
RP Seeks Membership in Madrid Protocol
The business sector is pushing for the Philippines’ inclusion in the Madrid Protocol, a system that facilitates the registration of trademarks and service marks for member-countries. In a briefing yesterday, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Edgardo Lacson said the group wanted to be included in the roster of Madrid Protocol members as this […]
NBI Seized More Counterfeit Lacoste Shirts Worth PhP112 Million
Mere months from the successful conduct of anti-counterfeiting operations within the cities of Pasay and Parañaque, agents from the National Bureau of investigation (NBI) were able to seize anew more than PhP100 million worth of counterfeit Lacoste shirts from the very same neighboring areas. Led by its Chief, Atty. Romy Bon Huy Lim, the NBI […]
Facebook Lets Trademark Owners Contest Infringing Usernames
Personalized usernames and URLs are now available on Facebook, letting trademark owners and other users register simplified names and URLs for better name recall. On 13 June 2009, the leading social networking site gave its users the ability to create personalized usernames for their respective Facebook pages. This feature makes it easier to find a […]
SC Decriminalizes Private Parallel Importation of Drugs
In a 13-page decision penned by Associate Justice Dante O. Tinga, the Supreme Court’s Second Division unanimously ruled in favor of local proprietorship Roma Drug. The SC directed that Roma Drug may not be prevented from importing drugs patented by international pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.) Charged with violating the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs (SLCD) […]
Lacoste Continues to Enforce IP Rights Despite Economic Downturn
The National Bureau of Investigation-Intelligence Special Operations Divisions (NBI-ISOD) recently confiscated in a series of raids more than P100 million worth of counterfeit Lacoste goods against stall owners and occupants of storage areas located in neighboring cities of Pasay and Parañaque. The raids yielded more than 35,000 pieces of fake Lacoste apparel. The successful enforcement […]