Baranda & Associates' ‘professional and cooperative’ IP team continues to advise its impressive client base, which includes some of the world’s leading brands, on the full range of IP matters. The group also has noteworthy capabilities advising on the range of contentious trademark and copyright issues, and frequently works with the key enforcement agencies on such work. In addition, it is adept at conducting dawn raid actions, and the skilled team is renowned for its ability to handle cases before the domestic courts at all levels, notably including Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. It regularly works with the IPO’s IP Enforcement Office to deal with numerous online piracy matters. Practice heads Edmund Jason Baranda and Claire Corral are both seasoned practitioners in this area. The practice also has a solid reputation for its work on patent matters.

The ‘very responsive and efficient’ team at Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia is highly regarded for its provision of 'excellent quality' work and its 'exceptional client engagement'. Susan D. Villanueva is at the helm of the practice, which represents thousands of IP interests worldwide. Villanueva is a skilled litigator in IP matters and in enforcement cases. Key practitioner Patricia Bunye has a wealth of experience in IP commercialisation matters, as well as on regulatory cases involving food and drug administration. Divina Gracia Pedron regularly advises on brand protection, trademarks and copyright enforcement, and is experienced in civil, administrative and criminal prosecutions in that regard. Another notable member of the department is Rowanie Nakan who heads the patent group at the firm.

Roane Lopez heads the patents practice, and Virna Caringal-Divino leads the trademark offering at Ortega Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell. The team skilfully handles the full range of IP protection work. The group is adept at advising on franchising and licensing matters, and frequently works with foreign companies and institutions across the pharmaceutical, sport and entertainment sectors. In addition, the department is recommended for its work on cases involving copyright litigation in the publishing and music industries.

The team at Quisumbing Torres is described as being ‘dedicated’ and having a ‘high-performance culture’. Divina Pastora Ilas-Panganiban heads the department, which frequently advises on the registration and protection of trademarks, copyrights and patents. It also has considerable strength in emerging issues involving data privacy, data security and cybercrime. It has particular expertise in IP brand management and enforcement, as well as patent prosecution. Bienvenido Marquez continues to play a pivotal role in the IP, data and tech practice group. Reena Mitra-Ventanilla focuses on IP-related matters, whilst Frederick Jose, who was promoted to the partner in July 2022, also has a broad practice.

The first-rate team at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan has considerable expertise in IP portfolio management, enforcement and in all aspects of licensing and tech transfers. The practice is also experienced handling trademark and copyright protection work. Under the guidance of Vida Panganiban-Alindogan, the group continues to advise on a myriad of complex issues, including acting on cases of alleged unfair competition or copyright infringement. Anthony Dee is another known name in the market; Dee has extensive experience in IP-related litigation, arbitration and enforcement of rights cases. In addition, the group has substantial experience in acting in administrative proceedings before the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

At Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law), the IP department is co-headed by Bienvenido Somera and Katrina Doble, and is praised for its ability to provide ‘practical solutions‘ to its clients. The agile handles the full gamut of IP-related matters from trademark and patent prosecution, through to advising on freedom to operate searches, and border control measures. Additionally, a portion of the team's workload includes matters regarding copyright registration, IP commercialisation and patent invalidation. Its IP litigation practice covers regular court and administrative litigation in relation to both inter partes and IPR violation cases. The group is also skilled in advising IP rights-holders on the online protection of their IP rights. Antonio Miguel Lu is a name to note and Mark Leo Bejemino was promoted to the partnership in January 2023.

IP boutique firm Cerilles & Fernan Intellectual Property Law (CFIP Law) has Mario Cerilles and Harry Fernan at its helm. It counts independent investors and creators in the Philippines amongst its client base but predominantly acts for both local and multinational corporations. The team has been active in prosecution work involving patents, copyrights and trademarks in global contexts which is Fernan’s area of particular expertise alongside handling data privacy issues. The team collaborates with international firms in order to enforce its clients’ IP rights. Notably, Cerilles is dual-qualified to practice in the both the Philippines and the state of New York.

Federis & Associates is an IP boutique firm, which covers the full spectrum of IP issues. It counts major global brands among its roster of clients. Led by Mila Federis, the group has considerable trademark expertise. It regularly advises on diverse matters such as prosecutions, enforcement actions against infringers, as well as on anti-counterfeiting measures. In addition, it has a vast array of experience in patents and is instructed by many of the major patent annuity service providers. Montini Felicilda is another key member of the practice.

Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law)'s IP practice is under the leadership of Oliver Baclay. It acts for various pharmaceutical companies, and assists foreign clients in their trademark registrations in multiple jurisdictions. Other core areas of focus include handling the patent portfolios of numerous clients, as well as attending to the registration of patents. The team is also skilled in advising on trademark infringements and in unfair competition cases. At associate level, Maria Isabelle Poblete is recommended.

Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio skilfully handles the full gamut of non-contentious and contentious IP matters. It covers all types of searches, prosecutions and international registrations, including plant variety registrations, and IP audits. In addition, the group garners praise for its handling of IP enforcement matters, its provision of advice on border control measures, as well as its handling of all forms of opposition, cancellation and infringement-related cases. The group is collectively led by 'invaluable resource in the field' Editha Hechanova, alongside Brenda Rivera, Noemi Rivera and Maria Gladys Vilchez.

Kristine Bongcaron and Shirley Alinea co-head the department at Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad, which is adept at assisting clients from a broad-range of sectors with all aspects of their IP rights. The team's areas of focus range from advising on rights protection, to advising on the administration and maintenance of said rights. It is skilled at handling the IP registration process, which includes helping with trademark and patent searches, as well as advising on trademark infringement litigation. The group also manages its clients’ IP portfolios. In addition, it is well-placed to advise on the international registration of marks with the World Intellectual Property Office.

The knowledgeable team at Divina Law is experienced in handling trademark and copyright registration matters, as well as in patent litigation. It also excels in the enforcement and management of said rights. Enrique Dela Cruz heads the practice, which assists in a broad-range of licensing and franchising matters. Other core areas of focus for the team include advising on the registration of numerous kinds of products from food and drink, to medical supplies and cosmetics. Nilo Divina is a name to note.

The team at Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is collectively led by Mark Gorriceta; Lucas Niccolo Cauton; Ramon Andre Cedro and Micaela Galvez. It handles a broad array of matters involving trademark registrations and enforcement issues.

Spearheaded by Kurt Glen Yeung, the able team at Kua Sy & Yeung Law Offices (SKY Law) is well-placed to handle a wide array of trademark matters, from advising on the possibility of registering a proposed mark, to helping clients to maintain their trademarks. The group also advises in cases where there is an infringement, passing-off or where there are issues relating to unfair competition.

Elmer Serrano heads the department at Serrano Law, which is experienced in trademark registration, and inter partes proceedings with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. It regularly advises its clients on the trademark and IP aspects of key deals and transactions. In addition, it has recently handled patent registrations for various real estate and construction companies. Phil Ivan Chan and Tephanie Gandia are both well-regarded.