Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
Intellectual Property Practitioner of the Year – Philippines
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia is a full-service firm with proven expertise in different practice areas such as corporate and commercial law, intellectual property, litigation and dispute resolution, to name just a few. Similarly, our IP practice covers a variety of intellectual property matters, including patents, trademarks and copyright.
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia’s lawyers are from diverse backgrounds representing the sciences, businesses and the arts and are equipped with the expertise and experience to counsel on protecting, enforcing and commercialising clients’ IP.
Unlike other firms that refer IP litigation to general litigation lawyers, our IP lawyers handle all litigation involving IP. This is particularly crucial as IP practice requires specialised or technical knowledge. Moreover, the firm’s patent attorneys are registered patent agents who topped the Patent Agent Qualifying Exam jointly administered by the Philippine Intellectual Property Office and the European Patent Office in chemical and non-chemical fields. Our IP Department consistently ranks among the top IP practices in the Philippines and is highly regarded both locally and internationally.
As more and more companies are realising the value of protecting intangible assets, we make sure that we are able to meet their IP needs. In view of recent amendments to Philippine Copyright Law, we have expanded our practice into the more technical subject of online copyright infringement, as well as negotiating with Collective Management Organisations.
Another factor that distinguishes us from our competitors is that we take a more proactive approach and collaborate with clients, including state universities, to identify their possible IPs and thereafter secure protection locally and in other countries too.
Furthermore, we examine and provide legal advice on when an IP needs to be registered or kept as a trade secret. We also evaluate how IP enforcement can be achieved in ways other than undergoing the normal route of conducting search and seizure and subsequent litigation, that is through the sending of demand/cease and desist letters, and resorting to other modes of dispute resolution.
Added to this expertise, is the fact that we are known to be responsive and prompt in addressing the concerns of our clients’. We have devised internal procedures and systems that allow us to promptly inform clients of the latest developments in their accounts and enable us to monitor and comply with official deadlines. Additionally, we are accessible via e-mail and mobile 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
With the implementation of the Madrid Protocol, it is no longer necessary to engage local agents to file applications. Nonetheless, while this may be seen as a challenge to this practice, we consider this as an opportunity to focus on other areas of IP.
First, due to various factors such as the Philippines’ developing economy and international and regional cooperation efforts, Filipinos have become increasingly aware of the value of IP. In this regard, our firm has been conducting lectures to different research and development teams on the appreciation of the relationship among innovation, IP and business development. By increasing awareness of the value of IP, we create opportunity for business alliance and partnerships with the leaders of the country’s emerging economy.
The ASEAN Economic Community, which includes the Philippines, seeks to facilitate the free flow of goods, services, investments, skilled labour, and the free movement of capital across the region.
The challenge for the Philippine IP practice is to ensure that we are ready for this integration that will provide many opportunities for growth.
Looking ahead to the future, we are confident that our firm will continue to grow and prosper.
We believe that with the breadth of our experience and expertise, we are well-equipped to meet any challenges that come.
Company: Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
Name: Susan D Villanueva
Email: IP@cruzmarcelo.com;
sd.villanueva@cruzmarcelo.com
Web: www.cruzmarcelo.com
Address: 9th, 10th,
11th & 12th Floors, One Orion,
11th Avenue corner University
Parkway, Bonifacio Global
City 1634, Metro Manila,
Philippines
Phone: 632.810.5858
