IP Key SEA hosts colloquium for the Philippine judiciary

A roundtable discussion for judges, court attorneys, and academics to share best practices on intellectual property (IP) was held in Manila on 24-25 April 2018.  The ‘Colloquium on Intellectual Property for the Judiciary’ saw an opportunity for local, regional, and international stakeholders to compare practical and theoretical expertise with the aim to enhance the capacity of judges and court attorneys on the efficient, effective, and expeditious disposition of IP cases. Officially opened by Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) Chief of Office for Academic Affairs and Retired Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals of the Philippines Hon. Delilah Vidallon Magtolis, IP Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Director General Josephine R. Santiago, and IP Key SEA Project Leader Ignacio de Medrano Caballero, the event covered specific aspects of trademarks and copyright, particularly in the online and digital environment, the interface between IP and public health, best practices on the grant of provisional measures and the assessment of damages, and case law considerations from a range of key experts.

Particular focus was paid to the role of the Philippines judiciary in the enforcement of well-known trademarks in order to promote the nation as a robust protector of IP rights, and ultimately attract foreign investment. “If we are joining the world of developed and advanced economies, the Philippines should honour well-known marks. A foreign investor comes here and says, ‘I will invest but what will happen to the protection for my well-known brand?’ There’s some hesitance on what to say,” noted former IPOPHL Director General Ricardo Blancaflor during the forum.  The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines already includes provisions for the protection of well-known trademarks.

The Colloquium on Intellectual Property for the Judiciary was co-hosted by the Supreme Court of the Philippines, the Philippine Judicial Academy and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, in partnership with IP Key SEA, a project directed by the European Commission and implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

The Colloquium was moderated by Court of Appeals Associate Justice, Hon. Jose C. Reyes, Jr.

Further coverage of the event proceedings from IPOPHL is available here.