IPOPHL grants Guimaras Mangoes the First Geographical Indication in the Philippines
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines approved on 13 May 2023 the application by the Guimaras Mango Growers and Producers Development Cooperative (“GMGPDC”), making Guimaras mangoes the first registered geographical indication (“GI”) in the Philippines. This was pursuant to the GI Rules & Regulations (“Rules”) published in 2022. The Intellectual Property Code recognizes
Read More11-600 MW RE capacities for auction under Department of Energy’s 2nd Round of GEA
The Department of Energy is set to bid out 11,600 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (“RE”) capacities under the Second Round of the Green Energy Auction (“GEA”) or GEA2 in June 2023. The GEA is a competitive process to select eligible RE plants and aims to promote the growth of the RE industry in the
Read MoreIPOPHL Promulgates 2023 Trademark Regulations
The Philippine Intellectual Property Office (“IPO”) recently promulgated IPOPHL Memorandum Circular No. 2023-001, otherwise known as the Trademark Regulations of 2023, introducing significant changes to the rules and regulations governing trademarks, service marks, trade names, and marked or stamped containers. It amended the Revised Trademark Regulations of 2017 Memorandum Circular No. 17-010 or and the
Read MoreSupreme Court rules that “GINEBRA” is a descriptive mark subject to trademark protection under the doctrine of secondary meaning
In Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. v. Director of the Bureau of Trademarks, G.R. No. 196372/G.R. No. 210224/G.R. No. 216104/G.R. No. 219632, (9 August 2022), the Supreme Court held that “GINEBRA” is not a generic mark, but a descriptive mark that has become a distinctive mark through secondary meaning. It was argued that “GINEBRA” cannot be registered since it is
Read MoreSupreme Court upholds copyright over musical works of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP)
The Supreme Court en banc has affirmed the right of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP) to collect royalties over copyrighted works of its member artists. FILSCAP is a non-profit society of composers, authors, and publishers that owns public performance rights over the copyrighted musical works of its members. It also
Read MoreSupreme Court Introduces Guidelines and Amendments to the Rules on Nullity and Annulment of Marriage and Legal Separation
Celina Marie T. PanaliganAssociate On 24 January 2023, the Supreme Court en banc issued a Resolution approving the (1) amended guidelines to validate compliance with the jurisdictional requirements in petitions for declaration of absolute nullity of marriage, annulment of voidable marriage, and legal separation, and (2) amendments to Section 4 of A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC and
Read MoreIPOPHL Promulgates 2023 Trademark Regulations
The Philippine Intellectual Property Office (“IPO”) recently promulgated IPOPHL Memorandum Circular No. 2023-001, otherwise known as the Trademark Regulations of 2023, introducing significant changes to the rules and regulations governing trademarks, service marks, trade names, and marked or stamped containers. It amended the Revised Trademark Regulations of 2017 Memorandum Circular No. 17-010 or and the
Read MoreCruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia bags multiple awards at Asian Legal Business Philippine Law Awards 2022
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia is proud to be awarded by Asian Legal Business as Law Firm of the Year in the Philippines in the following practice areas: Intellectual PropertyProject and InfrastructureTransportation and Logistics It is the fifth year that CMT was named Intellectual Property Firm of the Year, having previously won in 2016, 2017, 2019
Read MoreIPOPHL Issues Memorandum Circular No. 2022-013 on the Amendments to the Rules and Regulations on Inter Partes Proceedings
The Philippine Intellectual Property Office (“IPOPHL”) issued on 27 May 2022 Memorandum Circular No. 2022-013 (“MC 2022-013”) amending the Rules and Regulations on Inter Partes Proceedings (“Rules”). The amendments to the Rules shall take effect and apply to all inter partes cases, including appeals to the BLA Director, filed starting 30 June 2022: Filing
Read MoreIPOPHL Launches Juana Patent and Juana Design Protection Incentive Program Waiving Patent Fees for Women Inventors, Designers, and Woman-Led or Woman-Owned MSMEs
In celebration of National Women’s Month, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (“IPOPHL”) launched the Juana Patent and Juana Design Protection Incentive Program (JPIP) last March 2022. This program aims to empower female inventors and female-led and/or female-owned micro-, small- and medium- enterprises (MSMEs) by promoting the protection of their intellectual property through the
Read MoreCruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia Secures Family Case Law Win in the Supreme Court
Charnnel Shane Thomas v. Rachel Trono and The Republic of the Philippines, G.R. No. 241032 In December 2021, the Philippine Supreme Court denied with finality the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the Solicitor General’s Office (“OSG”) from its Decision nullifying the bigamous marriage between an American and a Filipina, by virtue of the American citizen’s
Read MoreCruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia awarded by Asia IP Awards 2021 as Philippines Copyright Firm of the Year for the 7th time.
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (CMT) was recognized by Asia IP Awards 2021 as Copyright Firm of the Year for the Philippines for the 7th time. Asia IP is the region’s leading source of intellectual property news and analysis for IP companies and law firms and Asia IP Awards honors law firms with the highest standards
Read MoreIntellectual Property Office of the Philippines Cautions Public Against Transacting with Unaccredited Collective Management Organizations
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (“IPOPHL”) issued on 19 October 2021 Memorandum Circular No. 2021-025 which is an Advisory on Unaccredited Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) (“Advisory”). CMOs are organizations that exercise and enforce copyright or related rights on behalf of its members. The functions of the CMOs include negotiating and granting licenses to
Read MoreLatest Government issuances on COVID-19
27 March 2023 – Advisory No. 2023-0012: Effectivity of Special Privileges Under Fortuitous Events Until December 31, 2022 Only PHILHEALTH informs all members and beneficiaries, partner health care providers and other stakeholders of the cessation of special privileges due to fortuitous, pursuant to Proclamation No. 57, s. 2022, the period of State Calamity throughout the
Read MoreDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources issues Department Administrative Order No. 2026-21 on the Establishment, Harvesting and Transport of Bamboo
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (“DENR”) has issued Department Administrative Order No. (“DAO”) 2021-26, providing the rules and regulations governing the establishment, harvesting, and transport of bamboo. DAO 2021-26 aims to encourage the establishment of bamboo plantations and to promote the sustainable use of bamboo-based industries in the Philippines, specifically: a. increase the
Read MoreBIR defers the Implementation of the New VAT Rules on the Local Purchases of Exporters and Registered Business Enterprises
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (“BIR”) has issued Revenue Regulations (“RR”) No. 15-2021 deferring the implementation of RR No. 9-2021 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the export industry. RR No. 9-2021 was issued to implement the imposition of 12% Value-Added Tax (“VAT”) on certain transactions previously taxed at zero
Read MoreEstate tax amnesty program extended to 14 June 2023
The President has signed into law Republic Act No. 11569 (“RA 11569”) amending Section 6 of Republic Act No. 11213 (“RA 11213”), otherwise known as the “Tax Amnesty Act”, to extend the deadline to avail of the estate tax amnesty until 14 June 2023. RA 11213 was enacted into law on 14 February 2019. It had
Read MoreDepartment of Energy issues Guidelines for the Endorsement of Energy Efficiency Projects to the Board of Investments for Fiscal Incentives
The Department of Energy (“DOE”) issued on 11 May 2021 Department Circular No. DC-2-21-05-0011 (“DC-2-21-05-0011”), or the “Guidelines for the Endorsement of Energy Efficiency Projects to the Board of Investments for Fiscal Incentives”. DC-2-21-05-0011 was published in a newspaper of general circulation on 17 June 2021 and shall be effective on 02 July 2021.
Read MoreCruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia Senior Partner Elmar B. Galacio discusses Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for Business
Join us on 29 June 2021 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for Episode 7 of the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) Webinar Series, Season 2 and learn about Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for Business from Atty. Elmar B. Galacio of the Philippine International Center for Conflict Resolution, an OADR-accredited ADR provider organization. To
Read MoreCruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia Senior Partner Patricia A. O. Bunye answers key questions on the Philippine Mining Industry in Lexology’s 2021 Getting the Deal Through – Mining
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia Senior Partner Patricia A. O. Bunye, a leading lawyer in the Philippine mining industry, provides answers to key questions on Philippine mining laws and regulations, as well as the latest developments in the Philippine mining industry in the 2021 Philippine Chapter of Lexology’s Getting the Deal Through – Mining. The Philippine
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