Philippines updates
Intellectual Property
Contributed by Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los AngelesSupreme Court recognises internet bookings as sufficient use of 'W' trademark
- Philippines
- 19 March 2018
Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide Inc filed an opposition against the application for registration of the mark 'W' filed by W Land Holdings Inc in the Philippines for the latter's real estate business. The Supreme Court recognised that despite the physical absence of use of the W trademark in the Philippines, online bookings via websites constituted sufficient use of the mark in the country. However, the court also noted that such use must be genuine.
Philippines one step closer to becoming international authority on patents
- Philippines
- 07 August 2017
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines is seeking designation as an international searching authority and international preliminary examining authority under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. The treaty allows patent applicants and inventors to file a single patent application in one IP office, resulting in protection in multiple countries. As a result, the Philippines is set to become a more attractive business destination and an even more reliable partner in patent protection.
You've registered your trademark, what now? Tips on maintaining trademark protection
- Philippines
- 20 February 2017
The process of obtaining trademark registration is only the beginning. To ensure continued validity and protection, a trademark owner must use the registered mark in the Philippines and comply with other regulatory filings. For example, a declaration of actual use must be provided and contain information on where the goods or services are available, as well as photographs, labels or other physical manifestations of use in the Philippines.
Bureau of Legal Affairs sheds light on confusing similarity
- Philippines
- 22 August 2016
San Miguel Brewery Inc and Iconic Beverages Inc recently filed an opposition against a trademark application for the mark ICE MOUNTAIN. San Miguel and Iconic Beverages argued that the ICE MOUNTAIN mark resembled its BLUE ICE device mark and contended that consumers would likely be confused. The Bureau of Legal Affairs saw no reason to deny the trademark application and held that the competing marks were not confusingly similar.
Further opposition against application to register W mark
- Philippines
- 07 March 2016
Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide Inc filed an opposition against the application for trademark registration of the mark 'W' filed by W Land Holdings Inc for the latter's real estate business. The director general of the Intellectual Property Office stated that allowing the registration of W Land's mark would lead to confusion, despite the alleged dissimilarity between the goods and services offered by the parties.
